#Likeable Contests

I have been interning at Likeable Media now for 3 weeks & I absolutely love it! My team, 1800Ballers, is amazing and everyone in the office is fun and outgoing and it's nice to be around people who love social media as much as I do.

One of the perks for being a BuzzBuilder is the weekly contests. Once a week we attend a little training session and are then challenged to go out on our own and apply what we learned. Our first contest was a twitter contest - who can get the most followers in a week. Everyone was going twitter crazy! I maybe gained 50 followers this week, which isn't a lot compared to the 2,000 the winners gained (go Rinda & Alyssa!) but I was really happy about my progress. I now have people following me that are leaders in the social media field and also who are fellow BeachBody Coaches. My biggest accomplishment was finding Alee. Alee is one of the girls in the Turbofire workouts (which I have been obsessively doing everyday for 3 weeks now for those who don't know). She is one of the main girls on the stage to watch at all times for modified moves. She is SO outrageously fit and it's cool to see someone on twitter who you see everyday on your TV. So anyway, I followed her and was happily surprised to see she followed back. As if that wasn't cool enough, I tweeted at her and got a reply! Here's the screenshot:








That was so exciting for me! She's the closest to a celeb I have following me/tweeting with me. So even though I lost that contest, I am proud of the outcome

The other contest that just ended was a Facebook contest - who can write the most engaging status. After the loss of the first contest, I was all fired up to win this one. I immediately got to writing my status and ended up with 62 likes and 26 comments. Here's that screen shot (can you tell I finally learned how to take screenshots? lol)
















I ended up winning most likes! And tied the contest with two awesome other Buzzies - Tyler & Sam. It was a lot of fun and a great learning experience on what it takes to engage your audience. Tyler did an excellent job of offering an incentive - a free meal - to whoever liked and commented their favorite food..and Sam did a sweet poll: Kanye vs. TSwift (who could resist commenting on that?!). As for me, I decided to use "surprise & delight" and randomly chose one "like-er" to get a prize. My friend Christina won and I will be sending her a fabulous prize :)

Does your internship do any fun contests or events? What kind of facebook status would you have posted to engage your friends? Comment below!

Why are Hashtags Important

When I first joined twitter, I used it just as I used my Facebook status updates. I put no effort into them and tweeted maybe once a week. But when I did sign in, I would see people ending their tweets with the “pound” (#) sign followed by a random word or phrase and didn’t really understand it. What was the point? Now a year later, I am a hashtag fanatic. But it wasn’t until this past week that I fully understood the power of hashtags. Here are the main reasons I’ve learned as to why and how hashtags are used.

1. To join a conversation

Recently, I was invited by Dave Kerpen to join the #blogchat conversation. I had never heard of it before and as a newbie blogger I decided to check it out. I typed #blogchat into the search bar and literally hundreds of tweets popped up. People were asking questions, sharing ideas, giving tips…. it was NONSTOP! This was my first time experiencing the power of the hashtag. People were re-tweeting each other and making connections with people who they would have never had the chance to talk to if not for #blogchat. It was a bit overwhelming, but a great learning experience both about blogs and about how twitter hashtags bring people together.

2. To start a trending topic

June 8-9 was the Likeable U Summer 2011 Summit (which was awesome but that’s another story). I was in charge of registration and was told to tell everyone who came in to tweet along with the conference using #likeable. Within the first few hours of the Summit, #likeable became a NYC trending topic on twitter!!

This shows just how influential the Summit was – that enough people were talking about the sessions and sharing their favorite moments to make an impact on the twitter-verse.

3. For Fun!

I use hashtags with almost every tweet I send – just because. I love when people hashtag random phrases to add humor to an ordinary tweet. It’s a great way to be creative and make your tweet unique and memorable.

What’s the best, funniest, most memorable hashtag you have used or have seen? What’s your main reason for using hashtags? Have you met any people after joining a hashtag twitter convo? Comment below!

Turbofire - Week One Recap

That was the quickest week of life. Week one of Turbofire is DONE (check!). It's been a lot more challenging than I had originally expected. After graduating P90X, I knew I wanted a more cardio-based program and Turbofire was calling my name. For some reason, I thought I'd be able to handle it right away - no breaks needed. I was dead wrong. The workouts are short, but intense. My heartrate has gotten as high as 192 and I have burned up to 900 calories a workout. I love every second of it. Unlike P90X, I don't find myself focused on the clock. Chalean's choreography makes me feel like I'm in a dance class, not a workout. I've been trying to push my limits, but find at times I need to modify, especially when I get winded. She alotts no set time for a water break which is the only thing I don't like..but I don't let it stop me from hitting pause - especially during Fire 55 and Fire 45 which are "EZ" workouts but not at all easy. My personal breaks are great because it allows me to catch my breathe and re-gain my energy to take it up a level.

One another thing I love is the music. There are times I can feel my body tiring out, but just as if I was in a club, the music is so good I just want to keep going! It's everything from "Play that Funky Music White Boy" to "Oh Hot Damn This is My Jam". I find myself singing and laughing along with the music and the moves (especially when she says break it down and you can dance however you want).

I've been trying really really hard to eat every 2 hours and even the new people I work with know how important it is to try to keep my metabolism up and keep track of all my calories in my journal. It's been hard, I've had more than a few slip ups this week, but it's a process. And I'm not giving up on good nutrition. It's way too important.

I weighed in today - gained a pound...I was a little upset but hey, it happens and it's only week 1..I hope by week 4 to have lost 3 pounds and I know I can get there if I try hard enough.

Recap again next week :)

Interested in starting a workout? Working out already but want some supplements? Here's my website: beachbodycoach.com/sdonk89
and PLEASE contact me and let me help you. My friend Megan purchased P90X and is a week in and has already dropped 1.5 pounds. With my help, I promise I can get you into the best shape of your life.

Bad News Bentley

The Bachelorette this week was realllyy rough to watch. After seeing Ashley get hurt during Brad's Bachelor season and now watching her the past 3 weeks, I feel like I know her. I know that sounds dumb since I never met the chick but people (like me) get really invested in this reality TV nonsense and I wish I didn't but I do. Anyway, Ashley went through a lot this week.

First, her one on one date with Ben C. was so fun!! FLASH MOB AMERICA - now added to my personal bucket list. He seems to be a hopeless romantic which I guess Ashley likes, but to me I saw more of a friendship connection than a real deep romantic one. I don't see him lasting very long, but I could be wrong.

Then came the group date where they all roasted her. She has some guts to let them take stabs at her like that, but most of the guys played it safe...except William who mentioned her biggest fear that he wanted it to be Emily on the show. Since William's one of my favorites, I wanted her to forgive him. It took some time, but she did end up giving him the last rose - yay. Everyone deserves a second chance and I think he showed he really was sorry (he totally cried on camera).

Throughout the episode, we see the biggest asshole to come to reality TV - Bentley - talking about how he can't see them together, how he can't wait to leave, how unattractive Ashley is, etc. etc...meanwhile he's talking to her as if he's ready to marry her on the spot and fcks with her head and she pretty much falls head over heels for him. He then LIES and says he needs to leave to see his daughter and makes HER feel bad when he's the one being the player and had no real good intention of being on the show. I really really really dislike him. Like I said, I feel like I know Ashley and she doesn't deserve a jerk like that around. I'm glad he's gone, but I can't imagine how she felt re-watching the episodes when he's talking to the camera saying "I'm about to go make Ashley cry..hope my hair looks OK" or something like "I don't give a crap about this girl"...She was probably hurt all over again.

But then came my #1 man, JP! They had a quiet one on one in her house - got all cuddly and cozy and had a hot make out sesh. I cheered. End of story.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot - mask guy took off his mask..and Ashley's face read, "THIS is what was hiding behind it? So not worth the anticipation. Wish he put it back on". She tried to hide it, but it was obvious. He got the boot at the rose ceremony. ADIOS WEIRDO.

Emotional and distressing episode. I hope Ashley finds a hubby out of this.

My Top Picks of the Week:
1. JP, obviously
2. Ryan
3. West
4. William

I think it's the same as last week...anyway that's all for tonight. More Bachelorette blogging next Tuesday. Check back later in the week for this great random post I've already started working on!

What are your thoughts on Bentley? Hate him? Love him? Love to hate him? Who are your top picks? Share below!

Buzz Builder NYC Orientation!

I was just talking to one of my best friends on Facebook chat. I asked what her plans were for the night and she replied she was working. She quickly followed up saying "g2g though not supposed to be on Facebook. we got lectured about how we could lose our jobs [insertsadface]".

This made me sad. I just spent the day at Likeable Media in NYC, the new place I will be calling home for the summer 4 days a week. Me, along with with 50+ other "buzz builders" will be dedicating our time and heart into increasing our client's likeability (did I just make that word up?). Here I was at Likeable getting introductory training on how to properly use Facebook, Twitter, FourSquare, Radian 6, and a plethora of other social media platforms that I will be, no doubt, using on a daily basis....and there was my friend working behind a desk and her job being threatened just for having one of those applications open during her shift.

Not only is that upsetting, especially for me who can't spend 30 minutes away from my laptop if I can help it, but it's also ridiculous. In a world where we are constantly connected, I don't understand jobs who are trying to fight the inevitable. Instead of reprimanding my friend for her Facebook use, why not tell her to do some researching on Facebook for their company (hotel actually, but I'll refrain from using any names). She could be creating a "like" page, seeing what competitors are doing, and responding to past/current/future guests.

If only everyone could be as smart as Dave Kerpen, CEO of Likeable, who has this science down to a T. His new book Likable Social Media (which I have already made a nice dent in) lays out the basics for any and every professional to use. *PS the book goes on sale on amazon tonight at MIDNIGHT and I highly suggest it for anyone in the working world. CLICK HERE*

In summary, I had a wonderful day in the NYC office. I already started making friends and connections, learned a TON more about social media, and got to pick up Dave's great book.

I also want to say - I'm so glad to be part of a company who does not punish for being on Facebook, but encourages its use. It's going to be a great summer and I couldn't be more excited.

Katniss, the girl on fire

The Hunger Games by: Suzanne Collins is now #1 on my favorite books of all time (or at least tied with The Giver which has held the #1 spot since 8th grade). This book was everything you could ever ask for: intrigue, drama, determination, death/gore, love, family, survival..with a sci-fi-ish twist. The story takes place in a post-apocolytic nation called Panem, where "North America used to be". It is narrated by Katniss, a 16 year old living in District 12. 12 Districts make up Panem, each one specializing in a different trade. Katniss doesn't go into much detail about the past history of her nation - its a few pages at most - but we do know there used to be a District 13 who rebelled against the Capitol and was therefore eliminated...which brought upon The Hunger Games - it is the Capitol's way of showing..reminding..more like demanding and proving they are the ones in charge, the puppetmasters. What are the Hunger Games? It is a battle. Every kid aged 12-18 in each district is entered in a lottery. One boy and one girl from each district is picked and sent away to the Capitol where the 24 fight to the death. There is only one victor.

I don't want to get deep into the plot because I know some of you reading this are planning to read this fantastic book. One thing I loved though was the way the author goes into such detail about the beauty, yet ugliness, of the Capitol. District 12 is a very very poor place. The contrast is evident and the luxury of the Capitol is extravagant. But the people, the policies, the rules..abhorrent. I had a bunch of other parts that I just LOVEDD but I don't want to ruin the story!

This book was recommended to me by a few people and I knew it would good...but it way exceeded my expectations. There are two more books to follow that make up a trilogy - Catching Fire & Mockingjay - and I will be at the library next week putting those on hold. Although The Hunger Games doesn't really end in a major cliffhanger, it leaves it on a the perfect note to end that satisfied my need to know the outcome of the Games..but also leaves the audience asking - now what? And I think that will for sure be answered in the next 2 books.

5 out of 5 stars.

Have you read The Hunger Games? What would you rate it? What was your favorite part?

ready, set, TURBOFIRE.

I just finished my FIRST DAY of Turbofire!! No, I didn't even shower yet - that's how committed I am to writing this blog :)

Yesterday I did all all the pre-program things - took my measurements, set up my schedule, posted the calendar on my wall, and wrote out my goals & what I want to accomplish over the next 3 months, as well as over the next week in terms of my diet. This week I will be focusing on incorporating more fruit into my diet as well as no eating after 9PM - something I followed religiously during P90X but have stopped since graduation. This morning I also weighed myself and was actually really happy with the number on the scale - 133. Which means I dropped a solid 7 pounds doing P90X. I would LOOVEEE to see it go down to 125 by the end of Turbofire, which would put me back pre-college weight and in the best shape of my life.

Anyway, today was Day One: Fire 30/ Stretch 10. The numbers represent how long the "class" is, so 40 minutes today. They FLEWWW by and was shocked when it was over so soon. After 5 minutes, I realized I forgot my heart rate monitor (which tracks how many calories I burn) so I pushed pause and ran up to get it...but I was so involved in the workout I ended up not checking my heartrate at all and just took it off mid-way because it would not have been accurate anyway. With 15 minutes left, I got a cramp. I didn't realize how high intensity the moves are and I should've waited 2 hours instead of an hour and 15 after eating to do the workout. I took a short 2 minute water break and was back on track. With 5 minutes left I was exhausted but Chalene urged us (me) to keep our energy up and I mustered all I had left to end strong. I was dripped sweat and almost didn't go onto the stretch, but come on it's the first day I couldn't skip out already! I'm soooo glad I did it. It was so relaxing, and stretched all the right muscles. Right now I feel great, refreshed, and ready to workout again tomorrow!

Things to remember for my workout tomorrow:
1. WEAR MY HEARTRATE MONITOR. It's crucial to see how many calories I'm burning so I can adjust how many calories I take in.
2. Wear my workout sneakers.
3. Bring a towel. The sweat got into my face and onto the new carpet.

I'm going to try not to post too much about my workouts, but it's hard since it's such a huge part of my life. But in 4 weeks I re-measure and I will for sure post my results! Oh and on Week 12 I will get those before/after pictures on here . I would do the before now but lets just wait til there's a great after one to put next to it :)

If anyone's interested in learning more about what Turbofire's about or what any other Beachbody program is about, CONTACT ME! or leave a comment...or just go to my website: beachbodycoach.com/sdonk89