Weekly Wish - Check out ChickAdvisor at Third Tuesday

When it comes to the communities in the social media space, my memberships divide pretty neatly into two categories:
• fashion/shopping
• marketing/PR/communications

These days, my favourite communities are the ones where I can meet with other members both online and in person. So you can imagine how excited I was when I learned these two groups were mashing together for the next Third Tuesday Toronto (which is going to be on a Wednesday but don’t get hung up on details).

Third Tuesday, for those of you who don’t know, is a free monthly event for PR and marketing types interested in learning more about social media in business.

ChickAdvisor founders Ali and Alex de Bold are this month’s guests. They will be sharing the secrets of their success about their thriving online shopping community. What I really admire is their determination and risk-taking. And, you know how I feel about ChickAdvisor Shop Crawls and their adventures in social shopping.

If you can’t make Third Tuesday, don’t despair. ChickAdvisor will also be featured on CBC’s Fortune Hunters starting Saturday, Jan. 19.

So this week, I have wish for you: check out ChickAdvisor at Third Tuesday and who knows, you may even see me there too!

What?
Third Tuesday Toronto with Alex and Ali de Bold on starting a Web 2.0 site: ChickAdvisor

Where?
Fionn McCool’s Irish Pub
181 University Ave. (map)
Toronto

When?
Wednesday, Jan. 23
6 p.m.

How?
It’s free but you’ll need to register first!

Thanks for the e-card

A thoughtful reader sent me a Hallmark e-card today. Unfortunately, the link doesn’t work so I don’t know who you are but wanted to thank you just the same.

If you’re reading this, please ping me. I know you had the best of intentions unfortunately, Hallmark didn’t deliver. What a lousy time for an a greeting card company to have a malfunction.

Tags: e-cards, Hallmark, holiday cards

Now you can rate my posts

You may have noticed a funny looking icon at the bottom of each post. I've added a widget called ClickComments. It's a simple rating tool you can click on to tell me if you like my post or not. If you're in a hurry you can share your opinion without having to leave a comment - although I always prefer comments. ; ) I'm trying it out. Let me know what you think. Rate this post or leave a comment.

Thanks geekgirl for the tip.

Tag: ratings, ClickComments, comments, PostReach

Win big with Gmail and Smarties

Two great brands, one old, one new (well, sort of), want you to show your stuff...

Gmail and Threadless have joined together and are looking for the ultimate t-shirt design. Your mission is to create a stand-alone design and they prefer you create an original design without the Gmail logo! Come up with the winning tee and win the ultimate prize: a brand new iPhone and a whole bunch of other swag. The contest runs through August 16.
As if Gmail and Threadless weren’t cool enough already.

Smarties Canada has bared all and changed all their 5o gram boxes to black and white during the nationwide Smarties “Gimme Colour” contest. Ten winning designs will be featured on 50 gram boxes throughout 2008. Even better, you don’t need to be a graphic designer to win. They provide all the tools on their website. Between now and December 12, 150 iPod Shuffles will be given away each day. All you need to do is enter for a chance to win.

As for Gmail and Threadless, consumer-generated content isn’t anything new, it’s one of the secrets of their individual success. As for Nestlé’s Smarties, this is something quite new and exciting!

What do you think about these contests? Will you enter? Leave a comment.

Technorati tags: contests, Gmail, iPhone, iPod, Smarties, Threadless

Introducing weekly polls on Bargainista

I’ve been shopping writing constantly for the past 9 months sharing my shopping experiences with you. Some of you have commented but I really have little way of knowing if you like it here. Starting now I’m going to have a weekly poll so you can help me learn what works, what doesn’t and how to give you more of what you want. I may be the facilitator but Bargainista is a community of people including you.

Please do your part, take a few seconds each week and answer the poll. You’ll be glad you did.