Picture a young Michael Beebe, fresh out of La Porte High School in '93, diving headfirst into the world of hospitality with a busboy gig at the old La Porte Holiday Inn. That hustle led him to an Associate of Science from Purdue-North Central in ’95 and a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management from Purdue-Calumet in ’97 (those schools are now merged into Purdue-Northwest, by the way). Michael’s early career was a whirlwind—running a 140-room hotel in Indianapolis, where he learned the ins and outs of the industry but realized it wasn’t his true calling. What did spark his passion? Teaching. He found himself thriving in front of students at Ivy Tech Community College and Lake Michigan College, sharing the art and science of hospitality management. Oh, and he also moonlighted at WIMS radio in Michigan City, juggling both on-air and behind-the-scenes roles with his signature high energy.
Politics? That’s been Michael’s sidekick since he was 18, registering to vote with a fire in his belly to make a difference. He threw his hat in the ring for La Porte County Council in 2010, where he got a crash course in the power of social media marketing. Undeterred by not winning, he campaigned for Indiana’s General Assembly in 2012 and took another shot at the County Council in 2014 and 2016. Though he hasn’t clinched a seat yet, Michael’s relentless drive to serve shines through. Lately, he’s been pouring that energy into helping other candidates who champion personal liberty, amplifying their voices with his knack for strategy.
Here’s a twist: Michael once co-owned a tattoo shop, despite having no ink himself. As the business manager and marketing guru, he leaned hard into low-cost, social media-driven campaigns to put the shop on the map. That experience fueled his love for digital marketing, and now he spends his free time crafting websites and boosting businesses online—a true labor of love.
These days, Michael’s living the dream as an independent contracted transporter, crisscrossing the country while getting paid to soak up new places and cultures. When he’s not exploring, he’s parked somewhere scenic, laptop open, building his digital consulting company, Spark Plug Strategies, or penning his thoughts. He even wrote a few books.
Based in La Porte County, Indiana, Michael’s embraced a “decentralized laptop lifestyle,” blending work, travel, and passion projects into a life that’s as dynamic as he is.
Creating a strong personal brand involves several key elements, and one of the most crucial is having a distinctive logo. A logo serves as the visual representation of your brand, encapsulating your identity, values, and professionalism in a single image. It's often the first thing people notice about your brand and can leave a lasting impression. Therefore, investing in a well-designed logo is essential for building a recognizable and impactful personal brand.
Consistency is another vital aspect of effective branding. Using the same username across all social media platforms enhances your brand identity, making it easier for audiences to find and follow you. This uniformity helps build trust and credibility by presenting a cohesive and professional image. It also simplifies marketing efforts by eliminating the confusion that can arise from different usernames on different platforms. A single, consistent username ensures your social media handles are easy to remember and share, which is crucial for maintaining a strong, recognizable online presence.
In addition to using a consistent username, it’s important to extend this practice to your personal hashtags and website domain. Using the same username for your personal hashtag strengthens your brand's presence and visibility, making it easier for your audience to engage with your content and participate in conversations related to your brand. Similarly, using your consistent username as your website domain name reinforces your brand identity across all online platforms, enhancing your search engine optimization (SEO) efforts and making your website more accessible to your audience.
When it comes to obtaining a professional logo without breaking the bank, Fiverr offers a low-cost solution. As a marketplace for freelance services, Fiverr provides access to a wide range of talented designers who can create a custom logo tailored to your specific needs and preferences. The platform’s competitive pricing and variety of designers make it an ideal choice for those just starting out or working with a limited budget. By investing in a well-designed logo through Fiverr, you can achieve professional results that effectively represent your personal brand, setting a solid foundation for long-term success.
Create a single username across all of your social media platforms.
The rationale behind creating a single username across all social media platforms is rooted in the principles of consistency and recognizability. By using a uniform username, businesses and individuals can significantly enhance their brand identity, making it easier for audiences to find and follow them across various platforms. This uniformity contributes to building trust and credibility, presenting a cohesive and professional image to the public.
A single username streamlines marketing and promotional efforts. It eliminates the confusion that can arise from having different usernames on different platforms, ensuring that all social media handles are easy to remember and share. This consistency is vital for maintaining a strong, recognizable online presence, which is essential for the long-term growth and success of any personal or business branding efforts. By adopting a single username strategy, you can simplify your digital footprint and create a more memorable and impactful brand.
Use that same username for your personal hashtag.
Using a consistent username for personal hashtags further strengthens your brand's presence and visibility on social media. Hashtags serve as a powerful tool for organizing content and making it discoverable to a broader audience. When your hashtag matches your username, it enhances the association between your brand and the content you create. This makes it easier for your audience to engage with your posts, follow ongoing campaigns, and participate in conversations related to your brand.
Additionally, a uniform hashtag strategy simplifies the tracking of your brand's online interactions and the monitoring of user-generated content. It creates a seamless experience for your followers, who can easily find and contribute to discussions about your brand. This cohesive approach not only bolsters your online presence but also fosters a stronger sense of community and engagement around your brand. By adopting this practice, you ensure that your brand remains memorable and accessible across all social media channels.
Use it again for your website with a dot com extension at the end.
Using a consistent username as your website domain name offers several advantages. Firstly, it reinforces your brand's identity by maintaining uniformity across social media and your website. This consistency helps your audience easily connect your online presence, whether they are visiting your social media profiles or your website. When users see a familiar name, it instills a sense of trust and reliability, making them more likely to engage with your content and services.
Furthermore, having a consistent domain name simplifies the process of marketing and sharing your website. A memorable and straightforward domain name makes it easier for customers to find you online, improving your website's visibility and accessibility. It also enhances your search engine optimization (SEO) efforts, as search engines value consistency and brand coherence. By aligning your social media usernames with your website domain, you create a seamless and professional brand experience that can significantly contribute to your long-term success.
Incorporating this tip into your branding strategy ensures that your digital footprint is cohesive and easily identifiable. It strengthens your overall brand presence, making it easier for your audience to find, remember, and engage with your business across various platforms.
Get a logo image for your personal brand. Fiverr is a good, low-cost solution to get a logo done.
Establishing a personal brand requires several elements, and one of the most crucial is a distinctive logo. A logo serves as the visual representation of your brand, encapsulating your identity, values, and professionalism in a single image. It is the first thing people notice about your brand and often the lasting impression they carry with them. Therefore, investing in a well-designed logo is essential for creating a strong and recognizable personal brand.
Fiverr is an excellent, low-cost solution for obtaining a professional logo. As a marketplace for freelance services, Fiverr offers a wide range of talented designers who can create a custom logo tailored to your specific needs and preferences. The platform provides access to designers with diverse styles and expertise, ensuring that you can find the perfect match for your brand's aesthetic. Moreover, Fiverr's competitive pricing makes it an affordable option, especially for those just starting out or working with a limited budget.
Using Fiverr to get a logo designed is straightforward and efficient. You can browse through designers' portfolios, read reviews, and select a freelancer whose style aligns with your vision. The platform allows you to communicate directly with the designer, providing input and feedback throughout the process to ensure the final product meets your expectations. By leveraging Fiverr's resources, you can obtain a high-quality logo that effectively represents your personal brand without the need for a significant financial investment.
A well-designed logo can significantly enhance your brand's visibility and memorability. It helps to differentiate you from competitors and creates a cohesive visual identity that can be used across various platforms and marketing materials. By investing in a logo through Fiverr, you can achieve professional results at a fraction of the cost, setting a solid foundation for your personal brand's success.
Conclusion.
Creating a strong personal brand involves several key elements, and one of the most crucial is having a distinctive logo. A logo serves as the visual representation of your brand, encapsulating your identity, values, and professionalism in a single image. It's often the first thing people notice about your brand and can leave a lasting impression. Therefore, investing in a well-designed logo is essential for building a recognizable and impactful personal brand.
Consistency is another vital aspect of effective branding. Using the same username across all social media platforms enhances your brand identity, making it easier for audiences to find and follow you. This uniformity helps build trust and credibility by presenting a cohesive and professional image. It also simplifies marketing efforts by eliminating the confusion that can arise from different usernames on different platforms. A single, consistent username ensures your social media handles are easy to remember and share, which is crucial for maintaining a strong, recognizable online presence.
In addition to using a consistent username, it’s important to extend this practice to your personal hashtags and website domain. Using the same username for your personal hashtag strengthens your brand's presence and visibility, making it easier for your audience to engage with your content and participate in conversations related to your brand. Similarly, using your consistent username as your website domain name reinforces your brand identity across all online platforms, enhancing your search engine optimization (SEO) efforts and making your website more accessible to your audience.
When it comes to obtaining a professional logo without breaking the bank, Fiverr offers a low-cost solution. As a marketplace for freelance services, Fiverr provides access to a wide range of talented designers who can create a custom logo tailored to your specific needs and preferences. The platform’s competitive pricing and variety of designers make it an ideal choice for those just starting out or working with a limited budget. By investing in a well-designed logo through Fiverr, you can achieve professional results that effectively represent your personal brand, setting a solid foundation for long-term success.
Building a strong personal brand requires attention to detail and a consistent approach across all platforms. A well-designed logo, consistent usernames, and cohesive personal hashtags and domain names are fundamental to creating a recognizable and impactful brand identity. Utilizing affordable services like Fiverr for logo design ensures that even those with limited budgets can achieve professional and memorable branding. By following these strategies, you can establish a robust online presence that fosters trust, engagement, and long-term success for your personal brand.
Picture a young Michael Beebe, fresh out of La Porte High School in ’93, diving headfirst into the world of hospitality with a busboy gig at the old La Porte Holiday Inn. That hustle led him to an Associate of Science from Purdue-North Central in ’95 and a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management from Purdue-Calumet in ’97 (those schools are now merged into Purdue-Northwest, by the way). Michael’s early career was a whirlwind—running a 140-room hotel in Indianapolis, where he learned the ins and outs of the industry but realized it wasn’t his true calling. What did spark his passion? Teaching. He found himself thriving in front of students at Ivy Tech Community College and Lake Michigan College, sharing the art and science of hospitality management. Oh, and he also moonlighted at WIMS radio in Michigan City, juggling both on-air and behind-the-scenes roles with his signature high energy.
Politics? That’s been Michael’s sidekick since he was 18, registering to vote with a fire in his belly to make a difference. He threw his hat in the ring for La Porte County Council in 2010, where he got a crash course in the power of social media marketing. Undeterred by not winning, he campaigned for Indiana’s General Assembly in 2012 and took another shot at the County Council in 2014 and 2016. Though he hasn’t clinched a seat yet, Michael’s relentless drive to serve shines through. Lately, he’s been pouring that energy into helping other candidates who champion personal liberty, amplifying their voices with his knack for strategy.
Here’s a twist: Michael once co-owned a tattoo shop, despite having no ink himself. As the business manager and marketing guru, he leaned hard into low-cost, social media-driven campaigns to put the shop on the map. That experience fueled his love for digital marketing, and now he spends his free time crafting websites and boosting businesses online—a true labor of love.
These days, Michael’s living the dream as an independent contracted transporter, crisscrossing the country while getting paid to soak up new places and cultures. When he’s not exploring, he’s parked somewhere scenic, laptop open, building his digital consulting company, Spark Plug Strategies, or penning his thoughts. He even wrote a few books.
Based in La Porte County, Indiana, Michael’s embraced a “decentralized laptop lifestyle,” blending work, travel, and passion projects into a life that’s as dynamic as he is.
In the world, we seem to have a big breakthrough every twenty to thirty years that truly changes mankind. We had the internet, the space shuttle, nuclear energy, nuclear bomb, flight all around twenty to thirty years apart. Some times are slightly shorter but it’s not like we have world changing technology on a daily or yearly basis. It seems like the world then gravitates to those inventions and focuses on them. Today it’s artificial intelligence.
Yesterday was the second anniversary of the best man I have ever known, my father. It still lingers with me. In November of 2021 my father had a relatively debilitating stroke and passed eight or so months later after a steady decline, on June 30th, 2022. Apparently they have ways to tell if you’ve had one before and the doctors said he had one previously. He and his wife, my stepmother, were at Walmart doing their weekly grocery shopping and he got light headed and his leg stopped working right. My dad’s thinking was to walk it off and went to the car while she finished the shopping. He was fine. He just needed to take a nap at home. He was fine. The second one he was less fortunate, but 80 years old and he smoked 2 packs a day from the time he was 16, worked at a steel mill that gave him a weird coating on his lungs that the doctor couldn’t identify, survived Vietnam, ate red meat most of his life, and was a lifelong moderate drinker; he lived a long life.
My mother and I were watching TV once back while I was in college or around that age and there was a kid saying “my daddy is my hero.” My mother wanted to have a family bonding moment and asked if my father was my hero. He wasn’t and I made the mistake of being honest with her. She. Was. Pissed. I hate when people talk about safe spaces because I and my generation had to grow up with the reality that no one cares how you feel. My parents never gave me the safety to express myself. They would ask questions and say they wanted my honest opinion then be angry with me for not thinking the way they thought. My mother, when I was 14 or 16 (around that age) wanted Sunday dinner to be us discussing a different topic where I could openly express myself. I don’t know what parenting magazine she read that in, but my beliefs were invalidated and was told how I was wrong. Yeah. That was always something to look forward to. Don’t get me wrong, my parents and my childhood were great and we all deal with some shit.
My father and his brother-in-law / best friend opened a gas station. They got a contract with Gulf and borrowed $2,500 and it was opened. They had a loan and Gulf secured the rest of the loan with the bank. They were in business but profit margins were small. They both made good money at it but based on them working all the hours themselves and they hired one person who took care of the garage area. They made good money but then my father got drafted and his brother-in-law ran everything. He had to hire a couple people who ended up being thieves. My mother would work there when she could but she had a full time job. Ultimately the business failed while my father was on a government-sponsored all expenses paid vacation to Vietnam. He wanted to be a business owner and was and the government took that away from him. After he got back home, they paid back the $2,500 loan to his mother, and got a job at the steel mill where he sweated his ass off every day to make money and support his family. It was an honorable choice but not what he wanted for me. If that’s what he wanted for, he wouldn’t have paid for me to go to college. My father isn’t my hero because he didn’t want to be. He wanted me to find hero’s he thought were more deserving.
In 1992 the internet came out. It was developed before that and modems were nothing new, but constantly active servers with information on them and freely available to the masses was new. My father was never interested in learning it. My mother, though passed 21 years ago, would still be able to find things on search engines I wouldn’t even know how to search today. She understood SEO before the words existed and had an intuitive understanding of how to do searches. My father thought demons may live in the box on the desk. I was 17 when it came out and 18 in 1993 when we got a real computer and internet access. Everyone walking around has had 30 years to learn to use the internet and those who haven’t have chosen to remain ignorant of it. My father chose to not learn it. If he had been in his right mind, I don’t know that he would have been able to pay his bills in the last years since so much is online or requires an email address.
Today (ish) is thirty years after the internet came out for consumer use and with now we have the emergence of artificial intelligence, which I have embraced. I’m around the age my father was when he rejected the internet and I can’t be like that. I saw my dad lost in a world of technology and I promised myself I would never be that irrelevant. I have learned how to prompt GhatGTP to get the answers to questions that I want instead of simply general answers without context. I understand its limitations and I follow its progress.
My father was a great man and I loved the old man, but my father is also a cautionary tale. Learn all you can about artificial intelligence because it will be a tool you need over the next thirty years in this world. Without it, you will be lost.
Picture a young Michael Beebe, fresh out of La Porte High School in ’93, diving headfirst into the world of hospitality with a busboy gig at the old La Porte Holiday Inn. That hustle led him to an Associate of Science from Purdue-North Central in ’95 and a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management from Purdue-Calumet in ’97 (those schools are now merged into Purdue-Northwest, by the way). Michael’s early career was a whirlwind—running a 140-room hotel in Indianapolis, where he learned the ins and outs of the industry but realized it wasn’t his true calling. What did spark his passion? Teaching. He found himself thriving in front of students at Ivy Tech Community College and Lake Michigan College, sharing the art and science of hospitality management. Oh, and he also moonlighted at WIMS radio in Michigan City, juggling both on-air and behind-the-scenes roles with his signature high energy.
Politics? That’s been Michael’s sidekick since he was 18, registering to vote with a fire in his belly to make a difference. He threw his hat in the ring for La Porte County Council in 2010, where he got a crash course in the power of social media marketing. Undeterred by not winning, he campaigned for Indiana’s General Assembly in 2012 and took another shot at the County Council in 2014 and 2016. Though he hasn’t clinched a seat yet, Michael’s relentless drive to serve shines through. Lately, he’s been pouring that energy into helping other candidates who champion personal liberty, amplifying their voices with his knack for strategy.
Here’s a twist: Michael once co-owned a tattoo shop, despite having no ink himself. As the business manager and marketing guru, he leaned hard into low-cost, social media-driven campaigns to put the shop on the map. That experience fueled his love for digital marketing, and now he spends his free time crafting websites and boosting businesses online—a true labor of love.
These days, Michael’s living the dream as an independent contracted transporter, crisscrossing the country while getting paid to soak up new places and cultures. When he’s not exploring, he’s parked somewhere scenic, laptop open, building his digital consulting company, Spark Plug Strategies, or penning his thoughts. He even wrote a few books.
Based in La Porte County, Indiana, Michael’s embraced a “decentralized laptop lifestyle,” blending work, travel, and passion projects into a life that’s as dynamic as he is.
If you are interested in cryptocurrency, the recent spike in prices has probably not gone unnoticed. With the increase, there is a sense of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). Bitcoin was originally designed by nerds wanting to make something cool. It was never about profit and investment. With that said, some people have made fortunes in cryptocurrency. Two years ago there were massive drops in the cryptocurrency market and we are seeing them raise up now substantially now. They are a little more than halfway to their all-time highs (ATH) and people saw what happened before and what’s happening now. They want their peace of the pie.
I am writing this to help people be safe when investing, not suggesting they do invest in the cryptocurrency market. In fact, I would suggest not investing in it and investing in traditional investments. Cryptocurrency investing is a bad way to invest because of the lack of long-term measurements and the high volatility of the overall market. If you want to invest, I suggest a licensed advisor, preferably someone with a CFA or CFP behind their names. I will even add legal disclaimers next.
Disclaimer 1: I am not a licensed financial advisor and the information provided is for general informational purposes only. It should not be considered as financial advice. You are encouraged to consult with a qualified professional for advice tailored to your individual circumstances before making any financial decisions. I disclaim any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken based on the information provided.
Disclaimer 2: Some links in this content may be affiliate links. If you click on these links and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe in and use personally. Your support through these links helps me maintain and provide content on this platform. Please be aware that I am not responsible for the content or privacy practices of external websites linked from this piece.
Now that’s been taken care of!
If you’re still here, I’ll assume you’re a greedy little shit wanting to win the cryptocurrency lottery. At this point, it’s a matter of when, not if, Blackrock gets to create a Bitcoin ETF. If that happens, other companies will issue their own ETFs and institutional investments stabilize markets. An Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF): is a type of investment fund and exchange-traded product, representing a basket of assets such as stocks, bonds, or commodities. ETFs are traded on stock exchanges, allowing investors to buy or sell shares throughout the trading day at market prices. They offer diversification and are designed to track the performance of an underlying index, commodity, or a basket of assets. ETFs provide a way for investors to gain exposure to various markets or sectors without directly owning the individual assets in the fund. Shout out to ChatGTP for the definition and good explanation of what an ETF is.
In this my goal is to help you, the reader, not get scammed. I will give a list of cryptocurrency exchanges I believe in, a list of cryptocurrencies that I would consider buying with a bit of background information on each of them, and sites to do research on for your cryptocurrencies of choice. I will include notes of my personal opinions throughout. Most importantly, I am not hanging you out to dry. With a little bit of attention to detail while doing it yourself, I have every bit of faith in you that you will be able to handle your own transactions. That goes for anyone reading this.
Important Terms.
I assume, if you’re reading this, you know what a cryptocurrency is, but perhaps that is not the case.
Cryptocurrency: Cryptocurrency is a form of digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security and operates on decentralized networks, typically based on blockchain technology. Unlike traditional currencies issued by governments and central banks, cryptocurrencies rely on a distributed ledger, the blockchain, to record and verify transactions. That’s a lot of fancy words and our goal is to learn fundamentals today so let’s break the definition down.
Cryptography: Cryptography is the practice and study of techniques for securing communication and data from adversaries or third parties. It involves the use of mathematical algorithms to encrypt information, making it unreadable without the appropriate key to decrypt it. Cryptography plays a crucial role in ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of data in various digital communications, including secure messaging, online transactions, and information storage. This field encompasses a range of cryptographic methods, such as symmetric key encryption, public-key encryption, digital signatures, and hash functions, contributing to the development of secure communication protocols and systems.
Blockchain: A blockchain is a decentralized and distributed digital ledger that records transactions across a network of computers in a secure, transparent, and tamper-resistant manner. Each transaction, or block, is linked to the previous one through cryptographic hashes, forming a chain of blocks. This technology underlies various cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum but has broader applications beyond digital currencies. The decentralized nature of a blockchain ensures that no single entity has control, enhancing security and reducing the risk of fraud. Additionally, the immutability of past transactions on the blockchain contributes to a trustworthy and transparent system, making it suitable for applications beyond finance, such as supply chain management, voting systems, and smart contracts.
Distributed Ledger: A distributed ledger is a decentralized and synchronized database that is maintained across multiple locations or participants in a network. It operates on a peer-to-peer basis, where each participant has their own copy of the ledger, and changes are propagated to all copies in real-time. This distributed nature eliminates the need for a central authority, enhancing transparency, security, and trust in the system. Blockchain is a specific type of distributed ledger, using cryptographic techniques to secure and link each record, or block, in a tamper-resistant chain. While blockchain is a subset of distributed ledgers, other forms may exist, such as directed acyclic graphs (DAGs), which organize data without the need for a strict chain structure. Distributed ledgers find applications in various fields, including finance, supply chain management, and decentralized applications (DApps).
Hot Wallet: A hot wallet refers to a cryptocurrency wallet that is connected to the internet and actively used for transactions. It is in contrast to a cold wallet, which is offline and provides a higher level of security due to reduced exposure to potential cyber threats. Hot wallets are convenient for frequent trading, transactions, or accessing funds quickly but may be more susceptible to hacking attempts or unauthorized access compared to cold wallets. Common types of hot wallets include online wallets, software wallets, and wallets associated with cryptocurrency exchanges. Users typically use hot wallets for smaller amounts of cryptocurrency, while larger holdings are often stored in cold wallets for increased security.
Cold Wallet: A cold wallet refers to a cryptocurrency wallet that is not connected to the internet, providing a high level of security by reducing exposure to online hacking threats. Cold wallets are typically used for storing larger amounts of cryptocurrencies for the long term. There are different forms of cold wallets, including hardware wallets, which are physical devices that store private keys offline, and paper wallets, which involve generating and printing private keys on paper. Because cold wallets are offline, they are less susceptible to cyberattacks compared to hot wallets. However, using cold wallets may involve more steps and time when accessing funds for transactions compared to the quicker access provided by hot wallets.
Know Your Customer: KYC stands for “Know Your Customer,” and it refers to the process of verifying the identity of individuals or entities engaging in financial transactions or using financial services. KYC is a regulatory requirement designed to prevent activities such as money laundering, fraud, and terrorist financing.
Cryptocurrency Exchange: A cryptocurrency exchange is an online platform or marketplace that allows users to buy, sell, and trade various cryptocurrencies. These platforms serve as intermediaries, providing a space where users can execute transactions involving digital assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other altcoins. Cryptocurrency exchanges facilitate the conversion of fiat currency (traditional currency like USD or EUR) into cryptocurrencies and vice versa. Key functions of a cryptocurrency exchange include order matching, where buy and sell orders from users are matched to facilitate trades, and order book management, which displays current buy and sell orders. Exchanges may offer different types of trading pairs, allowing users to exchange one cryptocurrency for another or for fiat currency. Users typically create accounts on these platforms, and many exchanges implement Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures to verify the identity of their users for regulatory compliance and security purposes. Cryptocurrency exchanges can vary in terms of features, trading pairs, fees, and security measures. Some well-known cryptocurrency exchanges include Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken.
Ticker Symbol: In the context of cryptocurrency, a ticker symbol is a shorthand code or abbreviation used to uniquely identify a particular cryptocurrency on trading platforms, exchanges, and financial charts. These symbols are typically short combinations of letters that represent a specific cryptocurrency, making it easier for traders and investors to quickly identify and track them.
Altcoins: ”Altcoins” is a term used to refer to all cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin. The name “altcoin” is a combination of “alternative” and “coin,” indicating that these digital currencies are alternatives to Bitcoin. While Bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency and remains the most well-known and valuable, thousands of alternative cryptocurrencies have been created since its inception. Altcoins can have a wide range of purposes and functionalities. Some are designed to improve upon the features of Bitcoin, such as transaction speed or privacy, while others serve unique purposes like enabling smart contracts, decentralized applications (DApps), or tokenizing real-world assets.
Stablecoin: A stablecoin is a type of cryptocurrency that is designed to minimize the volatility typically associated with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Unlike many traditional cryptocurrencies, stablecoins aim to maintain a stable value by pegging their worth to the value of another asset, usually a fiat currency like the US Dollar, a commodity, or a basket of assets. This pegging is achieved through various mechanisms, such as collateralization, algorithmic adjustments, or reserve backing. Stablecoins serve as a bridge between the cryptocurrency world and traditional financial systems, providing a reliable and stable medium of exchange, a store of value, and a unit of account. They are particularly useful for users who want to avoid the price volatility often associated with other cryptocurrencies while still benefiting from the advantages of blockchain technology, such as fast and borderless transactions.
Cryptography Exchanges.
I have a few cryptocurrency exchanges I prefer to use. The first two listed are my preferred exchanges because of their simplicity and they are very easy to use and store cryptocurrency in their hot wallets.
One point I need to make right now is cryptocurrency exchanges operate like banks. Many are FDIC insured and all require some form of KYC. In the context of cryptocurrency exchanges and financial institutions, KYC involves collecting and verifying certain information about customers. This typically includes personal details such as full name, date of birth, address, and government-issued identification documents like a passport or driver’s license. The goal is to ensure that businesses have sufficient information about their customers to assess the risks associated with their activities and comply with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations. Completing KYC procedures is a common step when registering on cryptocurrency exchanges or using other financial services. It helps maintain the integrity of the financial system by reducing the likelihood of illicit activities and promoting transparency.
Coinbase.
Coinbase is a cryptocurrency exchange and platform that allows users to buy, sell, and trade a variety of cryptocurrencies, including popular ones like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. It serves as an entry point for many individuals into the world of cryptocurrencies due to its user-friendly interface and accessibility. Coinbase provides both a website and a mobile app for users to manage their cryptocurrency holdings.
One notable feature is its ease of use for beginners, offering a straightforward interface for purchasing cryptocurrencies with fiat currency (such as USD or EUR). Users can link their bank accounts or credit/debit cards to fund their Coinbase accounts.
Coinbase also includes a secure digital wallet for storing cryptocurrencies. Additionally, the platform offers advanced trading features through Coinbase Pro, catering to more experienced traders.
It’s important to note that while Coinbase provides a convenient way to enter the crypto market, users should be aware of associated fees and consider transferring their holdings to a personal (cold)wallet for enhanced security.
Crypto Dot Com.
Crypto.com stands as a multifaceted cryptocurrency platform, surpassing the conventional role of a mere exchange. Central to its offering is a user-friendly mobile app that serves as a hub for diverse cryptocurrency-related activities. The platform facilitates the buying, selling, and trading of a broad spectrum of cryptocurrencies, catering to both beginners and seasoned investors. Users can seamlessly link their bank accounts or credit/debit cards to fund their Crypto.com accounts, simplifying the onboarding process.
An integral component of Crypto.com is its digital wallet, providing users with a secure means of storing various cryptocurrencies. The wallet not only ensures the safety of digital assets but also allows for easy peer-to-peer transactions within the platform.
A standout feature of Crypto.com is its cryptocurrency-backed Visa debit card. Available in different tiers, this card enables users to spend their cryptocurrency holdings at any merchant accepting Visa globally. The various tiers offer different benefits and rewards, including cashback on purchases and discounts.
Beyond the conventional exchange functions, Crypto.com provides additional services to enhance the user experience. Users can earn interest on their crypto holdings through staking or by participating in different investment programs offered by the platform. Additionally, Crypto.com supports crypto loans, allowing users to borrow against their crypto assets or lend them to earn interest.
As with any cryptocurrency platform, users are advised to stay informed about updates, security measures, and fees associated with Crypto.com. The dynamic nature of the cryptocurrency space means that platforms often evolve to meet the changing needs of users and the industry at large.
The preceding are my two favorite exchanges and I feel they both offer the same or very similar services, features, and expenses. The next two are also good, but require a greater understanding of how exchanges work and include terms like “spot trades,” which I don’t feel qualified to explain in this setting.
Kraken.
Kraken is a prominent cryptocurrency exchange that facilitates the buying, selling, and trading of a wide array of digital assets. Launched in 2013, Kraken has established itself as one of the oldest and most reputable cryptocurrency exchanges in the industry. The platform offers a range of services, catering to both individual traders and institutional clients.
Kraken provides a user-friendly interface for executing cryptocurrency transactions, allowing users to trade various digital assets against fiat currencies like USD, EUR, JPY, and CAD. The exchange supports numerous cryptocurrency pairs, including popular ones like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin.
One notable aspect of Kraken is its commitment to security. The platform employs advanced security measures, including two-factor authentication (2FA) and cold storage for the majority of user funds. Kraken has maintained a relatively clean security record in the cryptocurrency space.
Additionally, Kraken offers advanced trading features for experienced traders through its Kraken Pro platform. This includes tools such as margin trading and futures trading for those seeking more sophisticated trading strategies.
Kraken’s commitment to regulatory compliance and transparent operations has contributed to its reputation as a reliable exchange. Users can also access educational resources on the platform to enhance their understanding of cryptocurrency markets and trading strategies.
Binance.
Binance is one of the world’s largest and most popular cryptocurrency exchanges, providing a platform for users to trade a vast range of digital assets. Established in 2017, Binance quickly gained prominence due to its extensive selection of cryptocurrencies, competitive trading fees, and user-friendly interface.
Binance allows users to trade various cryptocurrencies against major fiat currencies and other digital assets. The exchange offers a user-friendly spot trading platform for beginners, as well as an advanced trading platform called Binance Futures for more experienced traders interested in derivatives trading.
A distinctive feature of Binance is its native utility token, Binance Coin (BNB). Users can utilize BNB to pay for trading fees on the platform, obtaining discounts in the process. BNB is also integrated into various aspects of the Binance ecosystem, including token sales on the Binance Launchpad and Binance Smart Chain, a blockchain network developed by Binance.
Binance has continually expanded its services, introducing features like staking, savings, and a peer-to-peer trading platform that allows users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies directly with each other using their local currencies.
Many cryptocurrencies are not traded on all platforms. The four I’ve given you are the four I recommend using at this time. If a cryptocurrency is not on one of these four exchanges, I recommend not buying it. These exchanges curate the better cryptocurrencies and some bad ones too, but mostly good ones.
How is “good” defined? Simply by being reputable and trustworthy in the marketplace. No one can tell you if a cryptocurrency will go up or down, predict future stability, or determine which events the market or individual cryptocurrencies will react to.
The Cryptocurrencies.
Anyone claiming they can predict the cryptocurrency market is a charlatan. The cryptocurrencies I am suggesting to buy are based on overall stability within the market along with longevity and utility. The utility of a cryptocurrency is my personal primary rationale for purchasing those coins. You see a lot of cows but hardly any buffalo. Why is that? We eat a lot of beef. If you want to increase the population of an animal, you need to eat it because it will then be farm raised and the survival of the animal has a monitory incentive to exist and thrive. The animals we eat have greater utility to us than the animals we don’t eat. The same is true of cryptocurrency. The coins with the greatest utility rise to the top.
The following are fifteen cryptocurrencies I would suggest if I were suggesting you buy cryptocurrency, which I am not and never will do. Cryptocurrencies are highly speculative.
Bitcoin (BTC).
Bitcoin stands as the pioneering and most widely recognized cryptocurrency in the world. Introduced in 2009 by an unknown person or group using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin operates on a decentralized and open-source blockchain, serving as a peer-to-peer electronic cash system. Its groundbreaking concept lies in its ability to enable financial transactions without the need for an intermediary, such as a bank or government.
At the core of Bitcoin’s technology is its blockchain, a distributed ledger that records all transactions across a network of computers. Bitcoin transactions are verified by network nodes through cryptography, and once confirmed, they are added to the blockchain, forming an unalterable and transparent history of transactions. Bitcoin’s finite supply, capped at 21 million coins, adds a deflationary aspect, potentially guarding against inflationary pressures faced by traditional fiat currencies.
Bitcoin has gained significant attention as a store of value and digital gold, with proponents viewing it as a hedge against economic uncertainties and a decentralized alternative to traditional financial systems. Its decentralized nature, security features, and the growing institutional interest have contributed to Bitcoin’s widespread adoption and recognition as a groundbreaking innovation in the world of finance and technology. However, its value remains subject to market fluctuations, regulatory developments, and ongoing debates about its scalability and environmental impact.
Ethereum (ETH).
Ethereum represents a groundbreaking blockchain platform and cryptocurrency that goes beyond the capabilities of its predecessor, Bitcoin. Launched in 2015 by Vitalik Buterin and a group of co-founders, Ethereum introduced the concept of smart contracts, enabling the execution of programmable and self-executing contracts on its decentralized platform. This innovation extended the use of blockchain technology from a simple peer-to-peer electronic cash system, as seen in Bitcoin, to a more versatile platform for decentralized applications (DApps).
One of Ethereum’s key features is its ability to facilitate the creation and deployment of smart contracts, which are self-executing agreements with predefined rules and conditions. These contracts run on the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), a decentralized runtime environment that processes and executes smart contracts across the network. This functionality has given rise to a wide array of decentralized applications, ranging from decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols to non-fungible tokens (NFTs), contributing to Ethereum’s reputation as a foundational platform for blockchain innovation.
Ethereum employs its native cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH), as the fuel for executing smart contracts and processing transactions within the network. The ongoing development of Ethereum includes the transition to Ethereum 2.0, a significant upgrade aimed at improving scalability, security, and sustainability by transitioning from a proof-of-work (PoW) to a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism. Ethereum’s impact on the blockchain and cryptocurrency space has been profound, shaping the landscape of decentralized applications and blockchain-based solutions.
Binance Coin (BNB).
Binance Coin is the native cryptocurrency of the Binance exchange, one of the largest and most influential cryptocurrency platforms globally. Introduced in 2017 as an integral part of the Binance ecosystem, BNB has grown beyond a mere utility token for trading fee discounts and has found diverse applications within the Binance ecosystem. The BNB token operates on the Binance Chain, Binance’s proprietary blockchain, and initially adhered to the ERC-20 standard before migrating to Binance Chain’s native BEP-2 standard.
One of the primary utilities of BNB is its role in reducing trading fees on the Binance exchange. Users who hold BNB in their accounts can opt to use it to pay for transaction fees, receiving significant discounts in the process. BNB has gained popularity not only for its utility within the Binance platform but also for its adoption in various decentralized applications (DApps) and initial coin offerings (ICOs) launched through Binance Launchpad.
Binance Coin’s functionality expanded further with the introduction of Binance Smart Chain (BSC), a parallel blockchain to Binance Chain that supports smart contracts. This expansion allowed BNB to play a crucial role in decentralized finance (DeFi) applications and decentralized exchanges (DEXs) built on the Binance Smart Chain, contributing to the overall versatility and value proposition of Binance Coin within the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem.
Cardano (ADA).
Cardano is a decentralized blockchain platform that aims to provide a more secure and scalable infrastructure for the development of decentralized applications (DApps) and smart contracts. Launched in 2017 by Ethereum co-founder Charles Hoskinson, Cardano places a strong emphasis on research-driven development and aims to address some of the scalability and sustainability challenges faced by existing blockchain networks.
Cardano employs a two-layer architecture, separating the settlement layer for cryptocurrency transactions (similar to Bitcoin’s primary function) from the computation layer for smart contracts and DApps. This dual-layer approach enhances flexibility and scalability while maintaining a strong focus on security. Cardano’s development is guided by a commitment to academic rigor, and the platform relies on a peer-reviewed process for its protocols and advancements.
One of Cardano’s distinguishing features is its consensus algorithm called Ouroboros, which utilizes a proof-of-stake (PoS) mechanism to secure the network. This approach aims to achieve sustainability by minimizing energy consumption compared to traditional proof-of-work (PoW) systems. Cardano has positioned itself as a third-generation blockchain, emphasizing interoperability and scalability, and it has gained attention for its potential to provide a secure and sustainable foundation for a wide range of blockchain applications.
Solana (SOL).
Solana is a high-performance blockchain platform designed to provide fast and cost-effective decentralized applications (DApps) and crypto projects. Launched in 2020, Solana has gained attention for its exceptional scalability, high throughput, and low transaction costs, addressing some of the key challenges faced by other blockchain networks. The platform’s mission is to enable decentralized and censorship-resistant applications at web-scale.
Solana achieves its impressive performance through a unique combination of innovations, including a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism known as Proof of History (PoH). PoH timestamps transactions before they enter the blockchain, enabling parallel transaction processing and reducing the time it takes to confirm new blocks. This approach significantly increases the network’s transaction throughput, making it one of the fastest blockchain networks in terms of processing speed.
The Solana ecosystem has attracted a variety of decentralized finance (DeFi) projects, non-fungible token (NFT) marketplaces, and gaming applications due to its ability to handle a large number of transactions at a fraction of the cost compared to some other blockchain platforms. Solana’s commitment to scalability and performance has positioned it as a competitive player in the blockchain space, with ongoing developments and collaborations contributing to its growing prominence in the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry.
Polkadot (DOT).
Polkadot is a multi-chain blockchain platform designed to facilitate interoperability between different blockchains. Launched in 2020 by Dr. Gavin Wood, one of the co-founders of Ethereum, Polkadot aims to address the issue of blockchain fragmentation by enabling different blockchains to communicate and share information seamlessly. The platform operates on a relay chain and supports multiple parallel blockchains, known as parachains, each with its own unique features and functionalities.
Polkadot’s consensus mechanism is based on nominated proof-of-stake (NPoS), where DOT holders can nominate validators to secure the network and earn rewards. The platform’s governance model allows DOT holders to participate in decision-making processes, providing a decentralized and inclusive approach to network upgrades and changes.
One of Polkadot’s key innovations is its ability to facilitate secure cross-chain communication, allowing different blockchains to share information and assets. This interoperability opens up possibilities for creating more scalable and specialized blockchains, each optimized for specific use cases. Polkadot has gained traction for its potential to foster collaboration between different projects and blockchains within the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem.
Polkadot also introduced the concept of parachain auctions, where projects can bid for the opportunity to connect their blockchain to the Polkadot network as a parachain. This mechanism ensures a fair and decentralized way to allocate resources on the Polkadot network. Overall, Polkadot’s emphasis on scalability, interoperability, and governance has positioned it as a significant player in the evolving landscape of blockchain technology.
Ripple (XRP).
Ripple is both a digital payment protocol and a cryptocurrency designed for facilitating fast and cost-effective cross-border money transfers. Developed by Ripple Labs, the protocol aims to address some of the inefficiencies and delays associated with traditional banking systems when it comes to international remittances. Ripple operates on a decentralized and distributed ledger technology, but it differs from some other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin in that it is not mined; rather, a fixed supply of XRP tokens was pre-mined at the protocol’s inception.
One of Ripple’s primary features is its ability to enable near-instant and low-cost international transactions. The protocol achieves this through the use of a consensus algorithm and a network of validating nodes that confirm and authenticate transactions. Ripple’s native cryptocurrency, XRP, serves as a bridge between different fiat currencies, allowing for the seamless exchange of value across the Ripple network.
While Ripple and XRP have gained attention for their potential to revolutionize cross-border payments, the project has faced legal challenges. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a lawsuit against Ripple Labs, alleging that XRP was sold as an unregistered security. This legal dispute has had an impact on XRP’s market dynamics and the broader regulatory discussions surrounding cryptocurrencies. Despite the challenges, Ripple continues to work on enhancing its payment solutions and expanding its partnerships within the financial industry.
Chainlink (LINK).
Chainlink (LINK) is a decentralized oracle network that acts as a bridge between smart contracts on blockchain platforms and real-world data, events, and payment systems. Launched in 2017 by Sergey Nazarov and Steve Ellis, Chainlink aims to address a crucial limitation of smart contracts—their inability to access external information independently. By providing a decentralized oracle solution, Chainlink allows smart contracts to securely interact with data sources, APIs, and external systems, making them more versatile and applicable to a broader range of use cases.
The Chainlink network operates on a decentralized network of nodes known as oracles. These nodes are responsible for retrieving and verifying external data and feeding it into smart contracts. Chainlink employs a reputation system and economic incentives to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the oracles’ data. This decentralized and tamper-resistant approach helps eliminate a single point of failure and enhances the security and reliability of smart contract executions.
Chainlink has found extensive applications, particularly in decentralized finance (DeFi), where accurate and timely data is crucial for executing financial transactions. It has also been utilized in various industries, including insurance, gaming, and supply chain management, showcasing the versatility of its decentralized oracle network. The LINK token is the native cryptocurrency of the Chainlink network, used for compensating node operators and facilitating the transfer of value within the ecosystem. As blockchain technology continues to evolve, Chainlink plays a vital role in connecting smart contracts with the real world, enabling a new paradigm of decentralized and trustless applications.
Litecoin (LTC).
Litecoin is a peer-to-peer cryptocurrency that was created by Charlie Lee and released in 2011 as an open-source project based on the Bitcoin protocol. Often referred to as the “silver to Bitcoin’s gold,” Litecoin shares many similarities with Bitcoin but incorporates a few key differences. One notable distinction is Litecoin’s faster block generation time, resulting in quicker transaction confirmation times compared to Bitcoin. This characteristic makes Litecoin suitable for smaller transactions and day-to-day use, complementing Bitcoin’s role as a store of value.
Litecoin operates on a decentralized blockchain, similar to Bitcoin, utilizing proof-of-work as its consensus mechanism. Its supply limit mirrors that of Bitcoin, with a total of 84 million LTC tokens set to be mined, providing scarcity and potentially acting as a hedge against inflation.
Over the years, Litecoin has gained widespread acceptance and adoption in various merchant networks and online platforms. Its ease of use and the familiarity of its technology, which is based on Bitcoin’s, contribute to its popularity. Additionally, Litecoin has been at the forefront of adopting and experimenting with technological upgrades, such as the implementation of the Segregated Witness (SegWit) protocol, designed to improve scalability and enable the implementation of second-layer solutions.
While Litecoin may not be as dominant as Bitcoin in terms of market capitalization, it has established itself as one of the enduring and respected cryptocurrencies, serving as a medium of exchange and a complementary asset in the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem.
Stellar (XLM).
Stellar is a decentralized blockchain platform designed to facilitate fast and cost-effective cross-border payments and transactions. Launched in 2014 by Jed McCaleb and Joyce Kim, Stellar aims to address inefficiencies in the traditional financial system, particularly in the realm of international money transfers. The platform operates on a consensus algorithm known as the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP), which enables quick and secure validation of transactions by a network of decentralized nodes.
Stellar distinguishes itself by fostering financial inclusion and accessibility. It allows users to issue and transfer tokens representing various assets, including fiat currencies, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, on the Stellar network. The native cryptocurrency of the Stellar network is Lumens (XLM), which serves both as a means of facilitating transactions and as an anti-spam mechanism.
Stellar has garnered attention for its partnerships with various financial institutions and payment service providers, enabling them to leverage the platform’s technology for efficient and low-cost cross-border transactions. The Stellar Development Foundation, a non-profit organization supporting the network’s development, has played a pivotal role in promoting the platform’s mission of creating an open and inclusive financial infrastructure.
With its focus on interoperability and accessibility, Stellar has positioned itself as a viable solution for individuals and organizations seeking a blockchain platform that facilitates cross-border payments, remittances, and the creation of tokenized assets. The Stellar network’s scalability, speed, and commitment to financial inclusivity make it a notable player in the evolving landscape of blockchain technology.
Uniswap (UNI).
Uniswap is a decentralized cryptocurrency exchange (DEX) that operates on the Ethereum blockchain, allowing users to swap various Ethereum-based tokens directly from their wallets. Launched in 2018 by Hayden Adams, Uniswap introduced an innovative automated market maker (AMM) model, which eliminates the need for traditional order books. Instead, Uniswap relies on liquidity pools and smart contracts to facilitate token swaps in a decentralized and permissionless manner.
The platform’s core feature is its liquidity provision mechanism, where users can deposit cryptocurrency pairs into liquidity pools. These pools then serve as the source of liquidity for token swaps. Uniswap utilizes a constant product formula to determine exchange rates, adjusting prices based on the ratio of tokens in the liquidity pools. This approach allows for seamless and efficient token trading without relying on centralized intermediaries.
Uniswap has played a significant role in the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem, providing users with easy access to a wide range of tokens and enabling decentralized trading without the need for a centralized authority. The native governance token of Uniswap is UNI, which allows holders to participate in the platform’s governance decisions and vote on proposals related to the protocol’s development and future upgrades.
As one of the pioneers in the decentralized exchange space, Uniswap has contributed to the growth and popularity of decentralized finance, providing users with a decentralized and efficient way to trade and access various tokens on the Ethereum blockchain.
Polygon (MATIC).
Polygon, formerly known as Matic Network, is a multi-chain scaling solution for Ethereum, aiming to address the scalability and usability challenges faced by the Ethereum blockchain. Launched in 2017 by Jaynti Kanani, Sandeep Nailwal, and Anurag Arjun, Polygon enhances Ethereum’s capabilities by providing a framework for building and connecting multiple chains, often referred to as sidechains or Layer 2 solutions. The primary goal of Polygon is to make Ethereum more scalable, efficient, and accessible for developers and users.
Polygon employs a modular framework that supports different scaling solutions, including sidechains, plasma chains, and other scaling approaches. One of its core components is the Polygon PoS (Proof-of-Stake) chain, a sidechain secured by a set of validators that uses a PoS consensus mechanism to achieve faster transaction processing and lower fees compared to the Ethereum mainnet. This allows developers to deploy and run decentralized applications (DApps) on Polygon while benefiting from Ethereum’s security and interoperability.
The platform has gained significant adoption within the decentralized finance (DeFi) space, non-fungible token (NFT) projects, and various other Ethereum-based applications looking to enhance their scalability and reduce transaction costs. The native cryptocurrency of the Polygon network is MATIC, which is used for transaction fees, participating in the network’s governance, and securing the platform.
Polygon has positioned itself as a key scaling solution for Ethereum, contributing to the broader effort to improve the scalability and efficiency of blockchain networks, especially in the context of Ethereum’s transition to Ethereum 2.0.
VeChain (VET).
VeChain is a blockchain platform designed for enhancing supply chain management and business processes. Launched in 2015 by Sunny Lu, the former CIO of Louis Vuitton China, and his team, VeChain seeks to leverage blockchain technology to improve transparency, traceability, and efficiency across various industries. The platform places a strong emphasis on real-world use cases, particularly within supply chain logistics, product authentication, and quality assurance.
VeChain utilizes a dual-token system. The primary token is VeChain Token (VET), which is used for transactions and smart contracts on the network. Additionally, the platform features VeThor Token (VTHO), a secondary token generated by holding VET, which is used to pay for transaction fees and other services within the VeChain ecosystem.
One of VeChain’s key features is its use of blockchain and Internet of Things (IoT) technology to create a tamper-proof and transparent supply chain. By attaching RFID or NFC tags to physical products, VeChain enables businesses and consumers to trace the entire lifecycle of a product, ensuring authenticity and quality. This is particularly valuable in industries like food and pharmaceuticals, where traceability is critical for compliance and consumer safety.
VeChain has established partnerships with various companies and organizations, including PwC and DNV GL, further solidifying its position as a blockchain platform with practical applications in enterprise settings. The platform continues to evolve, exploring new use cases and expanding its ecosystem to bring the benefits of blockchain technology to a wide range of industries.
Dogecoin (DOGE).
Dogecoin is a cryptocurrency that started as a playful and lighthearted project based on the popular “Doge” internet meme featuring the Shiba Inu dog breed. Initially created in December 2013 by Billy Markus and Jackson Palmer, Dogecoin was intended as a fun and approachable digital currency. While its inception was somewhat satirical, Dogecoin quickly gained a supportive and enthusiastic community, known for its charitable initiatives and positive engagement.
Technically, Dogecoin is based on the Litecoin protocol, with some modifications. It operates on a proof-of-work consensus mechanism, similar to Bitcoin, where miners validate transactions and secure the network. Dogecoin’s distinguishing features include its unlimited supply, low transaction fees, and a quick block generation time of one minute.
Dogecoin became widely recognized for its community-driven approach, often tipping and donating to causes and individuals in need. Notably, the Dogecoin community has supported charitable initiatives, disaster relief efforts, and even sponsored sports teams and events. Despite its humorous origins, Dogecoin gained attention in the broader cryptocurrency market and experienced surges in popularity, particularly during social media-driven events.
While Dogecoin’s value and use cases are primarily driven by community sentiment and internet culture, it remains a unique and memorable cryptocurrency in the broader landscape, celebrated for its community spirit and light-hearted approach to digital currency.
Filecoin (FIL).
Filecoin (FIL) is a decentralized storage network designed to enable users to store and retrieve data in a secure and decentralized manner. Launched in 2020 by Protocol Labs and led by Juan Benet, Filecoin leverages blockchain technology to create a marketplace for decentralized storage services. The platform allows individuals and organizations to sell or rent their unused storage space to those in need, creating a distributed and efficient storage network.
Filecoin operates on a proof-of-replication (PoRep) and proof-of-spacetime (PoST) consensus mechanism, which ensures that storage providers are genuinely storing the data they claim to host. Miners on the Filecoin network compete to offer storage space, and clients pay for these services using FIL tokens, the native cryptocurrency of the Filecoin network.
Users looking to store data can choose from various storage providers based on factors like price, reputation, and location. Filecoin aims to create a more resilient and censorship-resistant storage infrastructure by distributing data across a global network of independent storage providers.
Filecoin’s decentralized storage model provides an alternative to traditional cloud storage solutions, offering increased security, redundancy, and potentially lower costs. The platform has attracted attention for its innovative approach to incentivizing a decentralized storage network, and its success could have implications for the future of data storage and management in the broader technology landscape.
Scams.
Right now the cryptocurrency market is going crazy. Bitcoin has had days that moved over $3,000 and back the next day. Because of the moves and the seeming never-ending increase, there are people trying to scam the shit out of you! Beware!!!
Rule 1. If you never met her, don’t invest your cryptocurrency with the firm she’s suggesting.
Rule 2. Only use the four cryptocurrency exchanges I suggested.
Rule 3. If anyone suggests you stake your crypto holdings, don’t unless it’s directly into the phone apps for the four cryptocurrency exchanges I mentioned earlier.
Rule 4. A lot of crypto startups want investors. Because of this, there are many fake cryptocurrencies that will have you send Bitcoin in return for a newly released coin. Do your research because a lot of people will get nothing except scammed.
Rule 5. If it sounds too good to be true, it is!
Rule 6. Cryptocurrency wallets are generally anonymous and address you send it to has it, it’s almost impossible to trace. Coins and fractions of coins can be traced, however it’s very difficult to prove it wasn’t traded in a legal transaction prior. It’s like most bills in circulation have been used to buy or sell drugs, but if you don’t have the drugs and cash in the same place, you don’t know who the dealer is.
Rule 7. There is no such thing as a cryptocurrency expert! Anyone claiming to be is a liar.
Scams happen all the time and I want everyone to beware of them. I met a guy one time who met a woman online. She convinced him to buy USDC, a stablecoin that is used a frequently to trade for other cryptocurrencies. She introduced him to her cryptocurrency expert. She worked on him to drop more money while telling him how much she was into him and he put more and more money into this fund. He was ready to cash out and it was “hung up in a trade” and would need another $20,000 to get it unfrozen. This was the point where he was in for about $80,000 and around when I was introduced to him to see if I had any solutions. I didn’t. I said to call the FBI Cybercrimes Division but “DO NOT SEND THEM ANOTHER DIME!!!” I guess he didn’t listen. A few months later I heard he ended up at around $140,000 in losses. He lost his retirement and had to get a mortgage on his house. He will now work until the day he dies, live paycheck-to-paycheck, and not leave his children anything of monetary value. All of his investments for old age were wiped out.
$1,000.00.
So if I had $1,000.000 to invest, what would I invest in?
Bitcoin $300
Ethereum $200
Ripple $200
Dogecoin $100
Binance Coin $75
Cardano $75
Speculation $50
The final entry of “speculation” is where I would buy coins not listed in the fifteen I posted previously. That is my gambling on lottery tickets and hopping lesser coins like Tron (TRX) and Shiba Inu (SHIB) hit.
Conclusion.
Is there anything I left out? Absolutely! This was the MED, the Minimum Essential Dosage. This is the least you should know to safely buy cryptocurrency .
I really and from the bottom of my heart, hope no one has read this far. I truly hope I scared you off of buying cryptocurrency. If you have read this far, welcome to an exciting new addiction full of more twists and turns than a rollercoaster. For those of you still interested, please be safe with your investments. That was the main point I wanted to relay, just be safe!
Please like this if it helped you, share it with a friend who can benefit from it and / or tag that friend so they can see it. Share on your social and please tag me at @TheMichaelBeebe on all things social or use #TheMichaelBeebe or #MichaelBeebe. Also, if you got something out of this, please follow my social. There’s a lot of it! If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email at Discussion@TheMichaelBeebe.com.
Picture a young Michael Beebe, fresh out of La Porte High School in ’93, diving headfirst into the world of hospitality with a busboy gig at the old La Porte Holiday Inn. That hustle led him to an Associate of Science from Purdue-North Central in ’95 and a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management from Purdue-Calumet in ’97 (those schools are now merged into Purdue-Northwest, by the way). Michael’s early career was a whirlwind—running a 140-room hotel in Indianapolis, where he learned the ins and outs of the industry but realized it wasn’t his true calling. What did spark his passion? Teaching. He found himself thriving in front of students at Ivy Tech Community College and Lake Michigan College, sharing the art and science of hospitality management. Oh, and he also moonlighted at WIMS radio in Michigan City, juggling both on-air and behind-the-scenes roles with his signature high energy.
Politics? That’s been Michael’s sidekick since he was 18, registering to vote with a fire in his belly to make a difference. He threw his hat in the ring for La Porte County Council in 2010, where he got a crash course in the power of social media marketing. Undeterred by not winning, he campaigned for Indiana’s General Assembly in 2012 and took another shot at the County Council in 2014 and 2016. Though he hasn’t clinched a seat yet, Michael’s relentless drive to serve shines through. Lately, he’s been pouring that energy into helping other candidates who champion personal liberty, amplifying their voices with his knack for strategy.
Here’s a twist: Michael once co-owned a tattoo shop, despite having no ink himself. As the business manager and marketing guru, he leaned hard into low-cost, social media-driven campaigns to put the shop on the map. That experience fueled his love for digital marketing, and now he spends his free time crafting websites and boosting businesses online—a true labor of love.
These days, Michael’s living the dream as an independent contracted transporter, crisscrossing the country while getting paid to soak up new places and cultures. When he’s not exploring, he’s parked somewhere scenic, laptop open, building his digital consulting company, Spark Plug Strategies, or penning his thoughts. He even wrote a few books.
Based in La Porte County, Indiana, Michael’s embraced a “decentralized laptop lifestyle,” blending work, travel, and passion projects into a life that’s as dynamic as he is.
Today (June 30th, 2023) is the one year anniversary of my father’s death. Instead of sitting around dwelling on loss and missing my old man, I decided to post a blog piece I actually started writing over a year ago while he was ill and never finished. I simply forgot about it and only found it by accident on my phone a few days ago. As I read it I even had to check to see if I posted it already. I had not. I went through and fixed what grammar I could, but it was obviously tapped out on my iPhone, so PLEASE keep that in mind if you find any typos or bad grammar.
The Trendsetting Paradox: The Dice Have no Memory
“The dice have no memory.” Dice don’t understand statistics or probability, nor do they feel inclined to roll up in any certain streak for you. That is the underlying truth of all gambling. The idea that a trend in a game of chance is due to end because of the odds is referred to as the Monte Carlo Fallacy or the Gambler’s Fallacy. This is based on black hitting twenty-six times in a row on a roulette wheel at the Monte Carlo Casino in 1913. Gamblers believed red “was due” and lost millions of dollars at the wheel.
So I am posing the question (and answering it): is it better for a small business to set trends or follow trends? My thesis is that it’s actually better to follow trends than set them and I have a strong argument for that, which is likely to be ignored.
Research. Trendsetters pour tons and tons of money into researching the trend they are setting, so profits are reduced because so much money went out in the beginning to create the trend and decide how best to attract people and make them enjoy it that another business can observe exactly what the trendsetter did and copy it easier than building it. A great example is McDonald’s. Look at the health department scores for any town. With a very limited number of one-offs, chain restaurants will have better health scores listed than single-owner restaurants. With that, my friend Don was known as “Mr. 99” because of one problem what would have been costly to fix in his restaurant causing him to lose one percentage point in his otherwise flawless sanitation policy. The fix would have required a jackhammer to the floor and some new lines for a pop machine. The issue wasn’t a problem and his knowledge of the issue allowed him to vigilantly mitigate any issues that may arise from it, so all it did was cost him a single point on paper and was still one of the cleanest in town. I digress. McDonald’s has billions to spend on sanitation research. That mom and pop you frequent has like an extra $20. The mom and pop is paying for their son’s college or their daughter’s braces and being a single facility means there isn’t the large collective to pull funding from.
Profits. Nike makes awesome shoes. It costs them a fortune to do the R&D on the shoes and they charge north of $100 for a pair of sneakers, but their net profit is 4% to 6%. It may shock some readers that I could buy a pair of Nikes, send them to China to be torn apart, and have the company reverse-engineer something equal to (or better) for a retail price of $40 where I make a 20% to 40% net profit per item sold. I am going to say something very controversial next. An American designed product can be made in China by a manufacturer, bought here in the U.S., be sent back back to China as a prototype, built as good (or better) than the original, be sent back to the U.S., and sold in stores or drop shipped via online purchase all for a fraction of the price of the original product. How long would it take to have that up and running? A month. By doing that, you will not make the money that equates to the aggregate of the entire Nike annual profits, but you’ll make a lot more than you’re making today. Look at Walmart. Their shoes may not be name band, but they look familiar and they don’t cost that much, but they have a different brand label.
Risk. Let a trendsetter take on all the risk. If it’s an untapped market, let someone else tape that market and then follow. At the tattoo shop I was part of, I built the shop website and created a list of services. Trust me, I looked at other websites and pulled from them to build ours. The website would have cost $3,000 from a designer and $50 a month for service and hosting, plus another $500 per month for the constant photo updates we were doing. We updated our photos near constantly after a job. That’s $9,600 for the first year and $6,600 ahead after that. We paid $7 a month for hosting and $15 a year for the URL, so our cost was $100 a year, a savings of $9,000 in the first year. Let other businesses risk their money. Copy their efforts!
Costs. It’s cheaper. Imagine if you wanted to build a very unique house and hired an architect. They don’t work cheap. Now imagine your friend stops over and loves it. He snaps some photos and shows a contractor who can duplicate it for 20% less (like I said, architects aren’t cheap). The same is true in business. I can walk into any restaurant or bar in the country with a couple friends and take pictures all day long of how awesome the place is and duplicate those designs through a builder, or an interior designer, or by myself if it’s easy enough. (This is an example which I am not personally qualified to do, but is used for the example.)
Ease. It’s easy to copy someone else’s work. A business owner can see the costs and figure out how to cut them before implementing any ideas. Look at Texas Corral and Longhorn Steakhouse. I have no idea which one came first and its unimportant because both properties have the same trashy atmosphere the customers love; the corporate roadhouse feel. Whomever came second can easily just copy everything from the trendsetter because the work has already been done. It’s like copying someone’s math homework and not just the answers.
Every introductory college marketing class talks about paradigm shifts. What they never discuss is the cost associated with that paradigm shift. To change a person’s views on anything is expensive and time-consuming. Let someone else do that work for you.
So what is a trend and why is it bad to try setting one? A trend is a streak, like poker, that people tend to bet on or against. “Trend” is defined as “a general direction in which something is developing or growing.” I worked for a hotel restaurant in La Porte, Indiana. It’s not a trendy place. In fact, the one trend we have is to not be trendy. In the food service spectrum, it’s a Midwest meat and potatoes place. The owners of the hotel wanted to take out the wall between the bar and restaurant to make more like a nightclub that served food. Their reasoning was: it works in Detroit. First, in Indiana a restaurant can have a bar but the bar area has to be accessible only to persons 21 and over, so no children would then be allowed to enter the food service area (this law changes / changed July 1, 2023). Just because a trend works elsewhere doesn’t mean it will work where you want it to. They then leased the restaurant to a Chinese businessman who owned other restaurants and his nephew talked him into turning it into an Amer-Asian fusion restaurant. He closed his doors six weeks later, blaming the narrow-mindedness of the locals. It wasn’t the fault of the locals, but the people trying to change them. You can’t sell someone a product they don’t want and don’t understand. If someone else did the concept and it was locally accepted, I’d tell others to follow suite. The town next door has nearly no Hispanic population yet has ten or more Mexican restaurants. No one new is setting a trend, just enjoying the fruits of the labor of the first one.
Please like this on social media if it helped you or you enjoyed, share it with a friend who can benefit from it and / or tag that friend so they can see it. Share on your social and please tag me at @TheMichaelBeebe on all things social or use the hashtags #TheMichaelBeebe and #MichaelBeebe. Also, if you got something out of this, please follow my social. There’s a lot of it! By now you have a pretty good idea of what I talk about in my blog and if you have any questions or comments about any of those things, please feel free to shoot me an email at Discussion@TheMichaelBeebe.com.
Picture a young Michael Beebe, fresh out of La Porte High School in ’93, diving headfirst into the world of hospitality with a busboy gig at the old La Porte Holiday Inn. That hustle led him to an Associate of Science from Purdue-North Central in ’95 and a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management from Purdue-Calumet in ’97 (those schools are now merged into Purdue-Northwest, by the way). Michael’s early career was a whirlwind—running a 140-room hotel in Indianapolis, where he learned the ins and outs of the industry but realized it wasn’t his true calling. What did spark his passion? Teaching. He found himself thriving in front of students at Ivy Tech Community College and Lake Michigan College, sharing the art and science of hospitality management. Oh, and he also moonlighted at WIMS radio in Michigan City, juggling both on-air and behind-the-scenes roles with his signature high energy.
Politics? That’s been Michael’s sidekick since he was 18, registering to vote with a fire in his belly to make a difference. He threw his hat in the ring for La Porte County Council in 2010, where he got a crash course in the power of social media marketing. Undeterred by not winning, he campaigned for Indiana’s General Assembly in 2012 and took another shot at the County Council in 2014 and 2016. Though he hasn’t clinched a seat yet, Michael’s relentless drive to serve shines through. Lately, he’s been pouring that energy into helping other candidates who champion personal liberty, amplifying their voices with his knack for strategy.
Here’s a twist: Michael once co-owned a tattoo shop, despite having no ink himself. As the business manager and marketing guru, he leaned hard into low-cost, social media-driven campaigns to put the shop on the map. That experience fueled his love for digital marketing, and now he spends his free time crafting websites and boosting businesses online—a true labor of love.
These days, Michael’s living the dream as an independent contracted transporter, crisscrossing the country while getting paid to soak up new places and cultures. When he’s not exploring, he’s parked somewhere scenic, laptop open, building his digital consulting company, Spark Plug Strategies, or penning his thoughts. He even wrote a few books.
Based in La Porte County, Indiana, Michael’s embraced a “decentralized laptop lifestyle,” blending work, travel, and passion projects into a life that’s as dynamic as he is.
In 1995, I was attending two different campuses of Purdue University for one semester. I started Purdue-North Central in 1993 after graduating from high school and in spring of 1995 I started at Purdue-Calumet (the two campuses have since merged and it’s Purdue-Northwest). I was taking three classes on each campus at the time. My degree was Restaurant, Hotel, Institutional, and Tourism Management or RHIT for short (now just called Hospitality Management I believe). At PNC we had a lot of Organizational Behavior classes thrown in where we didn’t have our own in-house classes. If I thought better of it at the time, I would have gotten a second degree in Organizational Behavior at the same time and been duel major. That’s how many classes we took towards that class work. One semester I had two Total Quality Management classes back-to-back; one for Hospitality Management and the other for Organizational Behavior. The chapters even followed each other so much that I’d always skip one because I just heard the same lecture in the other class.
Around this time, we started getting riverboat casinos in Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland so at Purdue-Cal, I took a Casino Management class and I loved it. I’m not sure if it was the first semester that it was offered or not, but having been in front of a classroom myself since I was in college, it seemed rather last-minute now that I think back to times I was told I would be teaching a class they just created. Like we didn’t even have any exams planned. Attendance and participation were our grades (no wonder I made Deans List that semester). For someone who doesn’t get excited over gambling itself, I sure enjoyed learning about it. In a Human Resource class at PNC we found out half way through the semester that we had a thirty-minute presentation to give on the last day of the semester and could do it as groups of six people or fewer. My group picked sexual harassment. Unless I can be the example of how to do it, boring! And seriously? On the last day of school for the summer? In Casino Management, our professor, a great guy we affectionately called Uncle Dave (because he reminded us of that cool uncle) did an entire two hour class on the Mirage in Las Vegas. He said it was informative and we wouldn’t be tested. I was enthralled! But wait, the actual function of opening was a process of the HR department…hmm! Without an exam looming over the content of his day’s discussion, I still feverishly took notes. My classmates thought I was insane, but I explained my stroke of inspiration. If this all around great guy could talk for two hours about it, surly I could do 30 minutes alone discussing the HR aspect with some filler facts and figures. I informed my sexual harassment group that I was out and they were pissed. I informed our Human Resources professor and she was intrigued because most students prefer the safety net of a group. I normally do, but in this case, I inspired!
Human Resources
Photo courtesy of Michael Beebe.
For months before opening, you could be out drinking with your buddies and call an HR representative at 2 AM to ask about benefits for your job class before your official first day. They were the first large scale property to do a hard opening. My critique of Las Vegas is that it has no history but that is untrue and unfair. The history just isn’t that old and it’s more of a living tapestry of history. The Mirage is part of that so the first time I stayed in Vegas I stayed…directly across the street at a place I could afford with a great view of the Volcano Show every night. The first chance I had I walked across the street to see a place I wanted to see for… 2023 – 1995 = holy shit I got old! 28 years. A friend of mine since we were five was in the same Human Resources class and I saw her a month later and we compared hour experiences in the class. She got a B and said “I hear Professor Brown doesn’t give out A’s.” I responded with, “Really? She didn’t have a problem giving me one.” I had something around ninety-eight percent on that final project. I was rattling off stats and figures like it was important to me. Maybe it was hyper focus, but I actually strongly considered focusing on casinos at that point and heading that direction upon my seemingly distant (2 more years) graduation and perhaps I should have and the Mirage is where I would have headed first. It was just something I fell in love with reading about and at the time, I was rather obsessed.
It opened in 1989, which was six years prior to my classes at the various Purdue University campuses and when it opened, everything changed for the better. It was the first mega resort in Las Vegas and paved the way for the future.
History
My biggest critique if Las Vegas is the lack of history. You can talk about the Rat Pack but that was 50 or 60 years ago. There are no 120 year old buildings or old Victorian homes, which I love. Las Vegas still has history and just as much as a lot of other places, but simply more compressed time frames. The coolest casino in the country or maybe the world opened in Vegas in 1989 and now it will be something new in 2023. That’s thirty-four years only. It makes me sad but I see the history of Vegas is something that is current and can truly be experienced because there is so much change so frequently with some cool throwbacks to fifty or seventy years ago.
Photo courtesy of Michael Beebe.
Though now somewhat dated, it was impressive and a piece of the history of the casino industry. I loved it and it will be missed. I am excited about Hard Rock and a big ass guitar going up but the Volcano Show being gone will hurt. Just getting to see that property specifically has been one of my highlights of my various visits to Las Vegas and I will miss seeing it when I’m there in the not so distant future.
I also found a pretty cool article while looking up something while writing this so check it out: https://www.theringer.com/2021/7/20/22584803/new-old-las-vegas-mirage-megacasino. Its a tad pretentiously written but I really loved the flow and learned a lot about the 1980’s Las Vegas and casino industry that I didn’t know.
Please like this on social media if it helped you or you enjoyed, share it with a friend who can benefit from it and / or tag that friend so they can see it. Share on your social and please tag me at @TheMichaelBeebe on all things social or use the hashtags #TheMichaelBeebe and #MichaelBeebe. Also, if you got something out of this, please follow my social. There’s a lot of it! By now you have a pretty good idea of what I talk about in my blog and if you have any questions or comments about any of those things, please feel free to shoot me an email at Discussion@TheMichaelBeebe.com.
Picture a young Michael Beebe, fresh out of La Porte High School in ’93, diving headfirst into the world of hospitality with a busboy gig at the old La Porte Holiday Inn. That hustle led him to an Associate of Science from Purdue-North Central in ’95 and a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management from Purdue-Calumet in ’97 (those schools are now merged into Purdue-Northwest, by the way). Michael’s early career was a whirlwind—running a 140-room hotel in Indianapolis, where he learned the ins and outs of the industry but realized it wasn’t his true calling. What did spark his passion? Teaching. He found himself thriving in front of students at Ivy Tech Community College and Lake Michigan College, sharing the art and science of hospitality management. Oh, and he also moonlighted at WIMS radio in Michigan City, juggling both on-air and behind-the-scenes roles with his signature high energy.
Politics? That’s been Michael’s sidekick since he was 18, registering to vote with a fire in his belly to make a difference. He threw his hat in the ring for La Porte County Council in 2010, where he got a crash course in the power of social media marketing. Undeterred by not winning, he campaigned for Indiana’s General Assembly in 2012 and took another shot at the County Council in 2014 and 2016. Though he hasn’t clinched a seat yet, Michael’s relentless drive to serve shines through. Lately, he’s been pouring that energy into helping other candidates who champion personal liberty, amplifying their voices with his knack for strategy.
Here’s a twist: Michael once co-owned a tattoo shop, despite having no ink himself. As the business manager and marketing guru, he leaned hard into low-cost, social media-driven campaigns to put the shop on the map. That experience fueled his love for digital marketing, and now he spends his free time crafting websites and boosting businesses online—a true labor of love.
These days, Michael’s living the dream as an independent contracted transporter, crisscrossing the country while getting paid to soak up new places and cultures. When he’s not exploring, he’s parked somewhere scenic, laptop open, building his digital consulting company, Spark Plug Strategies, or penning his thoughts. He even wrote a few books.
Based in La Porte County, Indiana, Michael’s embraced a “decentralized laptop lifestyle,” blending work, travel, and passion projects into a life that’s as dynamic as he is.
I decided to come up with five easy to follow tips that EVERYONE on social media needs to follow to better represent their brand. The brand can be a business or for you yourself personally because you are your own brand. This isn't just for social media, but a set of five easy rules for life too.
A lot of people want their social media presence to be impeccable and think the only way to achieve that is by living life virtually and putting the best version of themselves out online. The general public will see that as a fake and you still have a life to live. Unless you are making money from the internet, please do not treat it as a job onto itself. You have far better things to do.
Making unique content is important. This does not mean to not post the same core content on your Twitter as you did your TikTok and Instagram but it does mean not to copy what others are doing with the exception of trends. Posting trends is a great way to get more followers on your video platforms. I am even leery of the Pinterest posts that say "365 Blog Post Titles to Get You Started" because of how many others may use the exit same name and idea. Be original and if you can't be original, at least be creative in your subterfuge and originality will ensue from that. Every once in a while I will post something others are suggesting, such as "post your work area on social media." the get mixed results and I feel mike a dancing monkey when I do it without the reward of some peanuts in the end and I only do it if I haven't posted anything in a while or to break up monotonous postings like when I did 15 days from Monday to Friday for three weeks of my various social media outlets and how to follow me. It got boring less than half way through yet they were scheduled for 1PM every day still and I hadn't gone anywhere with exceptional food or views at the time to show pictures of as a way to break it up a little bit.
This tip was inspired by LinkedIn, but works with anything social really. LinkedIn is nothing more than a dick measuring contest between professionals. Don't get me wrong, I love LinkedIn and love measuring my own dick, but part of a proper dick measuring is honesty. If you are just adding someone so you can sell them something, just be upfront about that and don't try acting like you are old buddies.
Engaging, topical, educational, informative, and funny are your five main motivators for people to engage with you. Think of a dog at a party. If you are having a party and a golden retriever came in, EVERYBODY would love the dog more than anyone else. The dog would make a bunch of friends and be more popular than the most popular person there, because dogs are fun and engaging. If you can teach people something and they enjoy learning, they will follow you for more. IF you are informing them of a news event, people will follow you for more. How many news outlets do you follow on Twitter? Comedians also have huge follow numbers on social media. Have you ever wondered why?
Gary Lee often tells people to "be authentic." Though I generally appreciate what he has built and have learned a lot from him, I find it humorous that "be yourself" is his sage-like advice and it works because so many people don't think to just not lie to people or try to make themselves seem to be of greater importance. Because of my current job, I fly a lot. In the last six years I have been on more than 300 flights including connections, which became a way of life during and after the COVID-19 scare. I've flown a lot. I have sat in every row from the mouth to the asshole on a number of different flights. So I love when I am online and you see the woman with her Gucci handbag and sunglasses acting like a roll model to the next year's cast of Sugar Babies posting pictures of how successful she is and she posts a picture out of the window on takeoff...behind the wing when my broke ass even gets to sit forward of that. She is trying to show herself to be more successful than she is, playing on people's lack of deductive reasoning that she is sitting in the cheap seats. Guys do it too and all the time too. There is huge money in renting a Lamborghini for the day in Miami and taking pictures of people posing in front of it by the beachfront so guys can be posers on their social media and Tinder profiles. both men and women try to mimic people they can't afford to be even though they still have something others could learn from. Authenticity is so very important and sadly will set you apart from the crowd.
I always enjoy writing these and sharing what I know or have researched with others and I hope people get something out of my postings. I personally get something out of coming up with infographics like I did here for my social media shares and now I am writing blog pieces on them so it gave me extra content that is evergreen.
Please like this if it helped you, share it with a friend who can benefit from it and / or tag that friend so they can see it. Share on your social and please tag me at @TheMichaelBeebe on all things social or use #TheMichaelBeebe or #MichaelBeebe. Also, if you got something out of this, please follow my social. There’s a lot of it! If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email at Discussion@TheMichaelBeebe.com.
Picture a young Michael Beebe, fresh out of La Porte High School in ’93, diving headfirst into the world of hospitality with a busboy gig at the old La Porte Holiday Inn. That hustle led him to an Associate of Science from Purdue-North Central in ’95 and a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management from Purdue-Calumet in ’97 (those schools are now merged into Purdue-Northwest, by the way). Michael’s early career was a whirlwind—running a 140-room hotel in Indianapolis, where he learned the ins and outs of the industry but realized it wasn’t his true calling. What did spark his passion? Teaching. He found himself thriving in front of students at Ivy Tech Community College and Lake Michigan College, sharing the art and science of hospitality management. Oh, and he also moonlighted at WIMS radio in Michigan City, juggling both on-air and behind-the-scenes roles with his signature high energy.
Politics? That’s been Michael’s sidekick since he was 18, registering to vote with a fire in his belly to make a difference. He threw his hat in the ring for La Porte County Council in 2010, where he got a crash course in the power of social media marketing. Undeterred by not winning, he campaigned for Indiana’s General Assembly in 2012 and took another shot at the County Council in 2014 and 2016. Though he hasn’t clinched a seat yet, Michael’s relentless drive to serve shines through. Lately, he’s been pouring that energy into helping other candidates who champion personal liberty, amplifying their voices with his knack for strategy.
Here’s a twist: Michael once co-owned a tattoo shop, despite having no ink himself. As the business manager and marketing guru, he leaned hard into low-cost, social media-driven campaigns to put the shop on the map. That experience fueled his love for digital marketing, and now he spends his free time crafting websites and boosting businesses online—a true labor of love.
These days, Michael’s living the dream as an independent contracted transporter, crisscrossing the country while getting paid to soak up new places and cultures. When he’s not exploring, he’s parked somewhere scenic, laptop open, building his digital consulting company, Spark Plug Strategies, or penning his thoughts. He even wrote a few books.
Based in La Porte County, Indiana, Michael’s embraced a “decentralized laptop lifestyle,” blending work, travel, and passion projects into a life that’s as dynamic as he is.
Dyngus Day is three weeks away from today and it’s one of my favorite holidays for a number of debaucherousreasons and I wanted to talk about an idea I had and wrap it into another thought to answer a common question. What is branding? Branding is a marketing function to get people to know your product where marketing is a function to get people to buy it. Branding is the “why” and marketing is the “how.” Branding builds loyalty and / or create value. So what are your brand values?
I love Dyngus Day! It is one of my favorite days of the year. It is often called “Polish Mardi Gras” since Mardi Gras is the day before Lent starts and Dyngus Day is the day after it is over and you can go back to all the bad things you couldn’t do for the previous 40 days. In Poland it is a holiday of joyous festivities and in the US it is sponsored by beer companies in various regions that celebrate it. Not everyplace celebrates it and that saddens me because everyone is Polish on Dyngus Day! I ended up being in Los Angeles on Dyngus Day one year and I know it’s not wide spread there but obviously the Polish restaurants will celebrate it. No. I called every Polish restaurant in LA County…all three of them. One was closed for the day when I called, one answered and said they are closed on Monday’s and when I asked about Dyngus Day she seemed to have no idea what I was talking about and the third was permanently closed but Google had not been updated yet. So I had a Long Island iced tea at a Mexican restaurant in Barstow and wept a tad for society.
I currently use the URL and hashtag of TheMichaelBeebe as my primary brand and monikerbut I am thinking of creating a secondary brand for myself called “King Dyngus” or “KingDyngus” for the hashtag and username I would post under for that site. The goal is to talk about Dyngus Day and create an area of exchange for Dyngus-related activities around the United States. My life’s work would be summed up by being able to find a local pub crawl on the day after Easter anywhere in the country. I think this all says more about the trajectory of my life than anything else, but it’s fun and celebrating Dyngus Day has become part of my personal branding.
I would have information about what cities offer Dyngus Day celebrations and allow various people to blog about things they have done on Dyngus Day, like the girl dancing topless in the bar or the guy pissing in the planter on the sidewalk and no one cared because it was Dyngus Day. Dyngus Day can be wild fun or a family-friendly celebration of endless Polish food. South Bend and La Porte are some twenty miles apart but in South Bend most Dyngus Day activities focus on activities for various clubs and organizations around town to raise money and in La Porte we have a shuttle that takes us from bar to bar and the bars on the route, I have heard, can earn as much as one-third of their yearly income on that day. Neither town does a parade like Cleveland or Buffalo do and some even have a Dyngus Day Queen. Both La Porte and South Bend use it to kick off political season with politicians doing from event to event because part of our local tradition is to get the politicians drunk so they can’t lie to us for once and the May Primary is roughly a month after.
I find the differences in celebration methods interesting to say the least which creates an overall macro brand and marketing locally is the micro activity…just as in the general branding-marketing relationship. Branding is the macro and marketing is the micro.
I sincerely hope this clears up any and all confusion you have over the differences between marketing and branding and exactly what a brand is. I hope I defined a brand pretty well here.
Please like this if it helped you, share it with a friend who can benefit from it and / or tag that friend so they can see it. Share on your social and please tag me at @TheMichaelBeebe on all things social or use #TheMichaelBeebe or #MichaelBeebe. Also, if you got something out of this, please follow my social. There’s a lot of it! If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email at Discussion@TheMichaelBeebe.com.
Picture a young Michael Beebe, fresh out of La Porte High School in ’93, diving headfirst into the world of hospitality with a busboy gig at the old La Porte Holiday Inn. That hustle led him to an Associate of Science from Purdue-North Central in ’95 and a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management from Purdue-Calumet in ’97 (those schools are now merged into Purdue-Northwest, by the way). Michael’s early career was a whirlwind—running a 140-room hotel in Indianapolis, where he learned the ins and outs of the industry but realized it wasn’t his true calling. What did spark his passion? Teaching. He found himself thriving in front of students at Ivy Tech Community College and Lake Michigan College, sharing the art and science of hospitality management. Oh, and he also moonlighted at WIMS radio in Michigan City, juggling both on-air and behind-the-scenes roles with his signature high energy.
Politics? That’s been Michael’s sidekick since he was 18, registering to vote with a fire in his belly to make a difference. He threw his hat in the ring for La Porte County Council in 2010, where he got a crash course in the power of social media marketing. Undeterred by not winning, he campaigned for Indiana’s General Assembly in 2012 and took another shot at the County Council in 2014 and 2016. Though he hasn’t clinched a seat yet, Michael’s relentless drive to serve shines through. Lately, he’s been pouring that energy into helping other candidates who champion personal liberty, amplifying their voices with his knack for strategy.
Here’s a twist: Michael once co-owned a tattoo shop, despite having no ink himself. As the business manager and marketing guru, he leaned hard into low-cost, social media-driven campaigns to put the shop on the map. That experience fueled his love for digital marketing, and now he spends his free time crafting websites and boosting businesses online—a true labor of love.
These days, Michael’s living the dream as an independent contracted transporter, crisscrossing the country while getting paid to soak up new places and cultures. When he’s not exploring, he’s parked somewhere scenic, laptop open, building his digital consulting company, Spark Plug Strategies, or penning his thoughts. He even wrote a few books.
Based in La Porte County, Indiana, Michael’s embraced a “decentralized laptop lifestyle,” blending work, travel, and passion projects into a life that’s as dynamic as he is.
For my 2021 holiday messages, I posted a “Merry Christmas” plus a unique half moniker of “Tha Mikester.” The use of “tha” dates back to something a friend used to call me so I used it to be cooler. The problem is, half of my friends thought I simply misspelled “the.” Now it does go off brand slightly since I’m @TheMichaelBeebe across all social media plus my website so it was my fault for trying to change the branding. Lesson learned and I no longer have permission to go against my own brand, which means my branding is noticed even with a rather small following so that’s a good feeling.
What is permission and who gives it? Permission is a social concept for brands based on what people envision in that brand. A towing company tows cars. Since they work with people having a shitty day with their ride, tire changes, lockouts, and battery jumps are obvious services they have permission from their customers to perform. How do you know if you have permission? Because people call you and ask for it. That’s your poor man’s market research right there. So what happens when said towing company creates a metal structural support for wood framed homes? Unless they create a new company to sell and distribute them, they sit in boxes. You don’t have that permission.
Follow your dreams, but create separate LLCs or at least a DBA to promote the side business.
Anyway, don’t break your branding image because people will notice, but to break from your branding you have to create an unified brand first.
Please like this if it helped you, share it with a friend who can benefit from it and / or tag that friend so they can see it. Share on your social and please tag me at @TheMichaelBeebe on all things social or use #TheMichaelBeebe or #MichaelBeebe. Also, if you got something out of this, please follow my social. There’s a lot of it! If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email at Discussion@TheMichaelBeebe.com.
Picture a young Michael Beebe, fresh out of La Porte High School in ’93, diving headfirst into the world of hospitality with a busboy gig at the old La Porte Holiday Inn. That hustle led him to an Associate of Science from Purdue-North Central in ’95 and a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management from Purdue-Calumet in ’97 (those schools are now merged into Purdue-Northwest, by the way). Michael’s early career was a whirlwind—running a 140-room hotel in Indianapolis, where he learned the ins and outs of the industry but realized it wasn’t his true calling. What did spark his passion? Teaching. He found himself thriving in front of students at Ivy Tech Community College and Lake Michigan College, sharing the art and science of hospitality management. Oh, and he also moonlighted at WIMS radio in Michigan City, juggling both on-air and behind-the-scenes roles with his signature high energy.
Politics? That’s been Michael’s sidekick since he was 18, registering to vote with a fire in his belly to make a difference. He threw his hat in the ring for La Porte County Council in 2010, where he got a crash course in the power of social media marketing. Undeterred by not winning, he campaigned for Indiana’s General Assembly in 2012 and took another shot at the County Council in 2014 and 2016. Though he hasn’t clinched a seat yet, Michael’s relentless drive to serve shines through. Lately, he’s been pouring that energy into helping other candidates who champion personal liberty, amplifying their voices with his knack for strategy.
Here’s a twist: Michael once co-owned a tattoo shop, despite having no ink himself. As the business manager and marketing guru, he leaned hard into low-cost, social media-driven campaigns to put the shop on the map. That experience fueled his love for digital marketing, and now he spends his free time crafting websites and boosting businesses online—a true labor of love.
These days, Michael’s living the dream as an independent contracted transporter, crisscrossing the country while getting paid to soak up new places and cultures. When he’s not exploring, he’s parked somewhere scenic, laptop open, building his digital consulting company, Spark Plug Strategies, or penning his thoughts. He even wrote a few books.
Based in La Porte County, Indiana, Michael’s embraced a “decentralized laptop lifestyle,” blending work, travel, and passion projects into a life that’s as dynamic as he is.
If you are selling ANYTHING, you need your own website. A website will be the quarterback for your branding outreach and it will create higher conversions and can help serve as a sanitized life résumé that you control plus it will push you higher in search results. Blog on it and tell people your thoughts. It’s great for so many different things. When I say “selling,” sometimes that means you are the product. Make that product stand out.
I am TheMichaelBeebe.com because some motherless panty waste is cyber squatting MichaelBeebe.com but I do have the dot net version and…I don’t love having a dot net. I know they convert just fine now that it’s 2023 but I still have the old school “eww gross” response when I think about being a dot net instead of a dot com. Gag me with a spoon! My primary moniker is the same using both the hashtag and the name for all of my public social media. I do use a personalized email address at the dot net out of pure vanity though and egocentrism. The personal identifier really helps boost your searchability online. Staying active with updating information on your website and posting blogs helps keep your search ranking high.
Blogging is important. Each blog piece you post could be popular and help you rank higher in search results. Both your website and the individual blog piece on your website could rank in Google. That gives you two entries. If the blog piece is picked up on other sites, it could be a duplicate of the original and be listed independently of your website blog piece. That’s three hits on you from one search. The goal in this section is to push your arrest record of the public intoxication charge you caught in college to the bottom of search results. Let people see you in a good light and you control your narrative. So now you’re wondering what you should write about for your blog. Unless you’re Kanye West, whatever you have to say that you can speak with authority on is the answer. Politics, technology, and basket weaving are all fine topics if you know what you’re talking about. The goal is to have a lot out there with decent substance so try not to alienate people with extreme views on topics. We are going to assume you are the product we are selling here. Why are you selling yourself? To get more views on YouTube videos, to gain more subscribers to your OnlyFans account, to sell more books. The final goal matters less in the overall need for it, but have a clear goal stated so you know how to lay out your website and it’s purpose. I like job searching because if you’re an author, people are still hiring you (by buying your book) to tell them a story and if you sell blinds, people are hiring you to help them make a wise choice on their blinds. My blog focuses on several areas that I feel I can discuss compliantly. Mainly they are travel, website design, social media, business management, poker (draw poker, not that Texas crap for people who can’t play cards), marketing, entrepreneurship, cryptocurrency, and politics somewhat. Politics divides people so much that I tend to shy away from it as much as I can unless I have something going around in my head. If you want politics to be part of your brand, then by all means, go for it. I’ll delve into some philosophical and esoteric thought exercises on occasion, as well, if I am trying to figure something out. I am not actively looking for a job, but I’m not saying I’d turn the right job down. So this slowly helps increase search rankings for your name and your name starts popping up in certain topics. So your blog helps you establish credibility on a topic or topics.
Sending people to your website helps with conversions to sales because the person gets a truer sense of who you are and it’s easier to buy from a buddy. If you’re an OnlyFans girl, this is key to you. Let people know you. Become the illusion of girlfriend material. I point them out because sex workers (of every level) already know this. It’s their entire job and there is no business that would suffer from being more like a sex worker when it comes to customer relations and customer retention. With that said, if you are letting OnlyFans manage all of your distribution of content plus merchandise, you are leaving money on the table. Bring them in to your bedroom, your website, and you will control their entire experience, including your OF content they purchase. You can always redirect them back to your OnlyFans content or to your Amazon Author page. It’s really all the same.
Restaurants need online menus and reservation services. Doctors need online scheduling and patient testimonials. Car dealers need online financing options and inventory information. Websites help facilitate all of that.
There is no downside to having your own website, if for no other reason than to be cooler than your friends and pass out pens at the bar with your name and URL on them. Your website is an essential part of your brand and its importance cannot be overlooked.
Please like this if it helped you, share it with a friend who can benefit from it and / or tag that friend so they can see it. Share on your social and please tag me at @TheMichaelBeebe on all things social or use #TheMichaelBeebe or #MichaelBeebe. Also, if you got something out of this, please follow my social. There’s a lot of it! If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email at Discussion@TheMichaelBeebe.com.
Picture a young Michael Beebe, fresh out of La Porte High School in ’93, diving headfirst into the world of hospitality with a busboy gig at the old La Porte Holiday Inn. That hustle led him to an Associate of Science from Purdue-North Central in ’95 and a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management from Purdue-Calumet in ’97 (those schools are now merged into Purdue-Northwest, by the way). Michael’s early career was a whirlwind—running a 140-room hotel in Indianapolis, where he learned the ins and outs of the industry but realized it wasn’t his true calling. What did spark his passion? Teaching. He found himself thriving in front of students at Ivy Tech Community College and Lake Michigan College, sharing the art and science of hospitality management. Oh, and he also moonlighted at WIMS radio in Michigan City, juggling both on-air and behind-the-scenes roles with his signature high energy.
Politics? That’s been Michael’s sidekick since he was 18, registering to vote with a fire in his belly to make a difference. He threw his hat in the ring for La Porte County Council in 2010, where he got a crash course in the power of social media marketing. Undeterred by not winning, he campaigned for Indiana’s General Assembly in 2012 and took another shot at the County Council in 2014 and 2016. Though he hasn’t clinched a seat yet, Michael’s relentless drive to serve shines through. Lately, he’s been pouring that energy into helping other candidates who champion personal liberty, amplifying their voices with his knack for strategy.
Here’s a twist: Michael once co-owned a tattoo shop, despite having no ink himself. As the business manager and marketing guru, he leaned hard into low-cost, social media-driven campaigns to put the shop on the map. That experience fueled his love for digital marketing, and now he spends his free time crafting websites and boosting businesses online—a true labor of love.
These days, Michael’s living the dream as an independent contracted transporter, crisscrossing the country while getting paid to soak up new places and cultures. When he’s not exploring, he’s parked somewhere scenic, laptop open, building his digital consulting company, Spark Plug Strategies, or penning his thoughts. He even wrote a few books.
Based in La Porte County, Indiana, Michael’s embraced a “decentralized laptop lifestyle,” blending work, travel, and passion projects into a life that’s as dynamic as he is.
I stayed at the STRAT again the last time I stayed in Las Vegas and honestly, it’s not that bad. It is dated, but you can’t beat the price. It has a low rate, but does include a $40 resort free making it still a cheaper place to stay.
But…I’ve learned how to navigate to cheaper. If you are a Best Western Rewards Member, its low rate is 5,000 points per night and when you book on points there are no resort fees. Plus you can buy points for $10 per thousand which means 5,000 points is $50. You can’t stay in a Motel 6 for that price and since it’s bonus points, they don’t charge tax on it. So Monday when I checked in all they pulled was a $50 per night security deposit which was back in my account within an hour of checking out so it was an even 5,000 points. Nothing more. Now most times, the front desk clerk will try upselling you “for just $20 since you’re a rewards member.” He didn’t this time but I usually let them and get a strip view. One note, the bottom two rooms are 5,000 points per night so make sure to book the next tier better than the most basic room. It helps to have a fridge and coffee maker in room. I haven’t upgraded enough there yet to know which tier has an in room microwave yet and I’m disappointed it’s not just standard. All told, the Strat isn’t a bad property but it’s not in the best part of town. As I understand it to be, when the place was built, the city was going to “clean up” that part of town and that was going to be part of The Strip. The city fell through on its promise so it can be sketchy after dark and they do have more “aggressive” hookers working the lobby area and elevators, but they don’t want to make a scene and get banned so they take a simple “no thank you.” Be nice to hookers. You don’t want the embarrassment of “crazy hoe” screaming at you in the lobby.
For what you are saving by staying at the Strat, you have to be smart on transportation options. They have a city bus stop right outside the property by the doors to the theater portion of the property. I’m not sure on price, but the city bus in any city is usually cheap and generally offer some sort of day pass so you can do connections and see schedules, prices, and routes. The monorail is nearby—sort of. It’s “two blocks” away. You walk two blocks and then go into the Sahara and then walk through a maze of poker tables and slots with only a couple signs to give general directions to it so you will probably get lost your first time or two. As of this writing, look for the Starbucks kiosk. It’s pretty close to that. Then back outside and up an escalator and over a street and then down an escalator and you’re right there. It’s convenient…ish. Day passes are $13 and last twenty-four hours and it runs around every ten minutes during the day. I’m not sure on overnight frequency. The monorail is scheduled for demolition in 2028 do you have four or five years to use it. It’s not convenient for all places and doesn’t go to the airport so getting to the hotel will require an Uber or a taxi. The monorail seems like a great idea but let’s say you decide to save money on your Uber and just take a rideshare to MGM, which is the southern station of the monorail system and you’re staying at the relatively new Resorts World. You take the monorail north to the Resorts World stop which is at the Convention Center stop, which then has nearly an one mile walk to the lobby of Resorts World…in 100+ degree heat for much of the year. The monorail only runs on the East side of the Strip by roughly one block and the blocks casinos are on are bigger than the block in Anytown, USA. They have massive resorts on them. Resorts World is on the West side of the Strip and I think the front door might actually be on the side away from the Strip too. I walked there from the mall that is right next door and had no luggage one time and thought I was going to die. I was so covered in sweat that I would have kicked me out of the place. There is a Tesla Loop around town that may be a viable option. I’m not suggesting staying at Resorts World because the goal here is to save money. The monorail is good for Strip access and you will get lost. It’s inevitable but that’s part of the fun and the monorail serves as a great way to see the city for a bit.
So where do you eat? If you stay at the Strat you have several food options. Door Dash may be cheaper than any of them. I paid $9 for a slice of shitty pizza and a 20 ounce cup of flat Mug root beer. The Strat Café is ok but also is $6 for a flat Mug root beer (including free refills). The center bar is $4 each for fountain Pepsi. That’s right! No free refills on pop. They nickel and dime you after you come in for the low room rates. It costs about the same to DoorDash food “to your room” over eating on site. I put that in quotes because the time I did DoorDash something there, the girl messaged e to come down and get it from her by the back entrance. Don’t worry. You tip upfront with DoorDash so I couldn’t take that lack of service into account when tipping. The pizza dude came to my door when I ordered that though, so I don’t know if it was DoorDash policy or if she was just a lazy bitch. There is a Circle K a block away and a Walgreens across the street and at the far end of the block from the Circle K. Between the two, you should have anything you need for drinks and not resort property prices. One trick I like to do is get those bowl of soup things. I get two per day I’ll be there generally from Walmart before I leave for my trip and stick them in my suitcase. Theirs is why it’s worth it to have a coffee maker in my room especially since the lowest tiers don’t have microwaves in them. With what you save on two meals a day, you can have one good one.
There’s an old adage for traveling that says you don’t eat places you can eat at home. So where do I recommend eating? In no particular order, they are:
Wahlburgers. I’ve not been there but I hear great things. They just have a kiosk and no sit down area so consider this for DoorDash.
Marrakech. This is one of my favorite restaurants anywhere. Dinner is $50 per person and served family style. They go above and beyond for service and you will feel like a Sultan of old. Take a few $5 bills. They have belly dancers for entertainment and you should tip them. Please don’t embarrass me or yourself by being the person that only puts a single dollar bill in a g-string.
In-N-Out Burger. Good price. I’m not a fan but I’m alone in that. Everyone I know loves them and it’s cheap enough for a lunch stop and two meals out for the day if you find another place with a reasonable price. I know they are a chain place but Las Vegas or Phoenix are probably the farthest East they go.
Fatburger. Not cheap. Expect $20 to $25 per person. They are also not very quick. Then you get the burger and it’s huge! They aren’t fast food burgers. They are a chain place but very limited on locations.
White Castle. They have three of them in Las Vegas. I went to the one on the Strip inside the Casino Royale and my normal $16 order at the one by my house in Indiana was $26 there, but they also serve beer if you’re so inclined. White Castle is a (mostly) East of the Mississippi place so West Coasters have a treat. The hours are weird but they might not be able to get workers for round the clock there. For me it was weird being at one while the Sun was out. They are more of a 2AM place to those of us who are initiated.
Blueberry Hill. Great prices! Very competitive for other places of the country for what you pay per meal and HUGE portions. It’s a family restaurant so they just have a large selection of great food. Expect about $25 per person and to waddle out of the place.
Buffet at the Palms Casino. It’s $64 on lobster day (Wednesdays) and worth it. The biggest drawback is you only have 90 minutes. I went for first seating and it was almost 20 minutes till I got back to my table with my first plate. Don’t dawdle between plates of food. I ate so much I literally thought I might shit myself afterwards and I wasn’t hungry ‘til the next day. It’s well worth it.
Dona Maria Tamales. I can’t say enough good about this place. The prices are very reasonable and even the drinks are a good price. I had a quart sized margarita and staggered out of the place after dinner. The food is some of the best Mexican I’ve ever had. It may be my favorite Mexican place or at least top three (one in McAllen, Texas and one in Lake Station, Indiana rival it).
Gordon Ramsay Burger. I spent $45 for a burger, fries, soft drink, and the tip and I was glad I did. I was very full afterwards. The burger was perfection on a bun and the fries were great. They serve chipotle ketchup and curry ketchup with their fries and have a house ketchup for their parmesan fries. I’m not sure which ketchup’s I had but they set it off. Heinz 57 has nothing on them!
Galpão Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse. Ok. It’s $100 per person including non alcoholic drinks and a tip but I usually spend closer to $120 to $130 at the others and the food at Galpão Gaucho just tastes better and the servers are far less rude than I’ve experienced at the other chain Brazilian steakhouses. I’ve been there a few times now and I love them!
As a dark horse outsider, I suggest Pizza Hut if you want pizza delivered. Ok. Hear me out on this! I live near Chicago and so far, every local pizza place not in the greater Chicago or New York areas has left me disappointed. You know what they have and you know the quality and you know the price. So get Dominos or Papa John’s delivered. I don’t care, but I’ve been hard pressed to find great pizza outside of those two places. From what I’ve experienced in Las Vegas, it’s not looking like a bright future for pizza there either. There is one pizza place I want to try and will report on once do if I like them and it’s called Evil Pie and they are a block away from the Fremont Street Experience. I went there once but just for drinks and I was pretty full when I got there so I couldn’t eat but it smelled great and they had a lot of orders so we will see.
Where do you drink?
If you want to drink socially and be near the action, I suggest the Center Bar at the Casino Royale. Drinks are like $5 each. Everything else on the strip is going to be twice that. Evil Pie and Therapy had reasonable prices and good atmospheres also.
What do you do?
People watching is fun in Vegas. It’s also free. Everything else is $40 plus tax. Ferris wheel…$40. Wax museum…$40. Shitty seats at a show…$40. The Neon Sign Museum…only $28 for the top price with a daytime admission of $20, so not bad. Vegas is like any other city in the country. What do you do when you’re in your home town for fun? You can do that there too. I have heard great things about Area 15. It has several interactive features like VR and a flight simulator plus the very popular Meow Wold Omega Mart. Tickets for individual areas seem to range from $12 to $50 and depend on day and time you will be there. If you stay at the Strat, it’s $12 for the observation pod or $20 if you aren’t and it really is a great view of the entire bowl the Greater Las Vegas Metropolitan area sits in. There is no better view of the city. There is also the Gallery of Fine Art at Bellagio for $18 per person. The Pinball Hall of Fame is actually free but they do take donations and some games are available for play for a quarter or two and it’s across the street from the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign, which is also free but there is always a long line of people waiting to get pictures taken there. I did a Google search of “cheap things to do in Vegas” and a page popped up from Vegas dot com with the same title as my search. in the URL it says “under #20 and you will be disappointed because half of the tings listed are more. Vegas isn’t a cheap place so people watching and the fountain show at the Bellagio are free and the Volcano show for as long as it is still there is also an option.
Remember the point of this piece was to help you save money. If you can afford to stay at the Wynn, this wasn’t for you. This was for the average person to maximize their Vegas vacation. I also wrote this from the perspective of a non gambler so Las Vegas kind of hates me for that. I really just don’t get any excitement out of it; there is no rush for me, but I do enjoy watching people play and have a good time.
Viva Las Vegas!
Please like this if it helped you, share it with a friend who can benefit from it and / or tag that friend so they can see it. Share on your social and please tag me at @TheMichaelBeebe on all things social or use #TheMichaelBeebe or #MichaelBeebe. Also, if you got something out of this, please follow my social. There’s a lot of it! If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email at Discussion@TheMichaelBeebe.com.
Picture a young Michael Beebe, fresh out of La Porte High School in ’93, diving headfirst into the world of hospitality with a busboy gig at the old La Porte Holiday Inn. That hustle led him to an Associate of Science from Purdue-North Central in ’95 and a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management from Purdue-Calumet in ’97 (those schools are now merged into Purdue-Northwest, by the way). Michael’s early career was a whirlwind—running a 140-room hotel in Indianapolis, where he learned the ins and outs of the industry but realized it wasn’t his true calling. What did spark his passion? Teaching. He found himself thriving in front of students at Ivy Tech Community College and Lake Michigan College, sharing the art and science of hospitality management. Oh, and he also moonlighted at WIMS radio in Michigan City, juggling both on-air and behind-the-scenes roles with his signature high energy.
Politics? That’s been Michael’s sidekick since he was 18, registering to vote with a fire in his belly to make a difference. He threw his hat in the ring for La Porte County Council in 2010, where he got a crash course in the power of social media marketing. Undeterred by not winning, he campaigned for Indiana’s General Assembly in 2012 and took another shot at the County Council in 2014 and 2016. Though he hasn’t clinched a seat yet, Michael’s relentless drive to serve shines through. Lately, he’s been pouring that energy into helping other candidates who champion personal liberty, amplifying their voices with his knack for strategy.
Here’s a twist: Michael once co-owned a tattoo shop, despite having no ink himself. As the business manager and marketing guru, he leaned hard into low-cost, social media-driven campaigns to put the shop on the map. That experience fueled his love for digital marketing, and now he spends his free time crafting websites and boosting businesses online—a true labor of love.
These days, Michael’s living the dream as an independent contracted transporter, crisscrossing the country while getting paid to soak up new places and cultures. When he’s not exploring, he’s parked somewhere scenic, laptop open, building his digital consulting company, Spark Plug Strategies, or penning his thoughts. He even wrote a few books.
Based in La Porte County, Indiana, Michael’s embraced a “decentralized laptop lifestyle,” blending work, travel, and passion projects into a life that’s as dynamic as he is.
Stop using “Link in Bio” on your social media. Link Tree is a great idea but falls short for your engagement. You have a website. Create a page for your posts links that way you are directing people to your website instead of some other company’s. This drives traffic to where you want it and helps keep, people on your site.
Basically the first thing you do with Link Tree is find people who are interested in you…and send them somewhere else. Keep them engaged in your website. Obviously if you’re sending them to follow on other social they will leave your site, but create your own “link in bio” pages for that so you can set it to open in a new window for social media redirections or Amazon book sales.
The concept is really pretty easy.
Create a new set of pages.
Do not add them to your primary menus.
Create a different menu for these pages specifically.
Embed links to pages you want to focus on.
Optimize for mobile devices.
I build on WordPress so it’s rather quick and easy but play with it and make sure you’re using a responsive theme. Most people build their website to reflect what looks best on a computer and though responsive (formatting changes to suit the screen size), it can be cumbersome to view on mobile devices. Think of information overload. Consider your link in bio page to be Cliffs Notes or a series of elevator speeches. You want quick and informative and since it comes from apps on a mobile device, the link can be named whatever you want since they simply click on it. Mine is TheMichaelBeebe.com/link-in-bio since most people reference that phrase due to Link Tree’s popularity. Use it to your advantage but let people also see your name in your own URL. Any decent website designer can build it for you in just a few hours. Most entrepreneurs today know how to build on WordPress so it should be an easy job for most people who already have their own website.
I should do a companion piece titled “Everyone Needs Their Own Website” and if I ever do, I’ll turn that last part into a link so if it’s blue, it’s been updated (I did write it and it will be available after 9 AM on January 30, 2023). If you are selling ANYTHING, you need your own website. It will create higher conversions and can help serve as a sanitized life résumé that you control plus it will push you higher in search results. Blog on it and tell people your thoughts. It’s great for so many different things. When I say “selling,” sometimes that means you are the product. So make the product stand out.
Please like this if it helped you, share it with a friend who can benefit from it and / or tag that friend so they can see it. Share on your social and please tag me at @TheMichaelBeebe on all things social or use #TheMichaelBeebe or #MichaelBeebe. Also, if you got something out of this, please follow my social. There’s a lot of it! If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email at Discussion@TheMichaelBeebe.com.
Picture a young Michael Beebe, fresh out of La Porte High School in ’93, diving headfirst into the world of hospitality with a busboy gig at the old La Porte Holiday Inn. That hustle led him to an Associate of Science from Purdue-North Central in ’95 and a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management from Purdue-Calumet in ’97 (those schools are now merged into Purdue-Northwest, by the way). Michael’s early career was a whirlwind—running a 140-room hotel in Indianapolis, where he learned the ins and outs of the industry but realized it wasn’t his true calling. What did spark his passion? Teaching. He found himself thriving in front of students at Ivy Tech Community College and Lake Michigan College, sharing the art and science of hospitality management. Oh, and he also moonlighted at WIMS radio in Michigan City, juggling both on-air and behind-the-scenes roles with his signature high energy.
Politics? That’s been Michael’s sidekick since he was 18, registering to vote with a fire in his belly to make a difference. He threw his hat in the ring for La Porte County Council in 2010, where he got a crash course in the power of social media marketing. Undeterred by not winning, he campaigned for Indiana’s General Assembly in 2012 and took another shot at the County Council in 2014 and 2016. Though he hasn’t clinched a seat yet, Michael’s relentless drive to serve shines through. Lately, he’s been pouring that energy into helping other candidates who champion personal liberty, amplifying their voices with his knack for strategy.
Here’s a twist: Michael once co-owned a tattoo shop, despite having no ink himself. As the business manager and marketing guru, he leaned hard into low-cost, social media-driven campaigns to put the shop on the map. That experience fueled his love for digital marketing, and now he spends his free time crafting websites and boosting businesses online—a true labor of love.
These days, Michael’s living the dream as an independent contracted transporter, crisscrossing the country while getting paid to soak up new places and cultures. When he’s not exploring, he’s parked somewhere scenic, laptop open, building his digital consulting company, Spark Plug Strategies, or penning his thoughts. He even wrote a few books.
Based in La Porte County, Indiana, Michael’s embraced a “decentralized laptop lifestyle,” blending work, travel, and passion projects into a life that’s as dynamic as he is.
This year I am keeping things simple and doing four small goals for my New Year’s resolution. I’ve failed in years past with lofty goals and even tried breaking the, into monthly resolutions, which would work normally, but but the last eighteen months has been rather unusual with a lot of things coming my way unexpectedly. I’ve basically been on autopilot. I’m focusing just on my digital presence for my resolutions this year. Don’t get me wrong. I do have other goals as well, but I need to achieve them or work towards them at my own pace without the stress of a 365 day timeframe hanging over my head.
Books.
So far I have written and self-published one book. It was a goal of mine and I did the finalization last Christmas Eve. It was a goal of mine so I did it finally. It was a short book, but it got me to continue writing. I am working on ten more. What? Yes! Ten! There is a plan there. Most of them are short and I work on it when the mood strikes me. The goal is cross marketing. Mine of the books will be business related, while the tenth book is about my travels around the country and was supposed to come out three years ago and I got lazy. Writing is actually hard because after a while, you get sick of your own words. The goal is to release the other nine books and have them in my catalog of work and when I release the travel book, market that one hard. When people look on Amazon for “about the author,” it will show my other works and spur sales. So why ten? Because the US Copyright Office allows you to copyright ten books at once in a bulk copyright and save money. I might just do nine total and create a second edition of my first book, Your New Business Mind: The Tools to Transition from Employee to Entrepreneur, to round out to ten. As I alluded, it was kind of rushed.
Each book, when ready for release, will have a blog post daily of the text from a previous draft so you’ll be able to read for free but not the finished version and without pictures or graphics and they will be used as a sales promotion piece with links to buy or preorder the book as they are ready for release. My goal will be to have each one ready and done completely prior to the scheduled release. I fell into that trap with my first attempt at releasing my travel book and it blew up in my face and has since been deleted.
Instagram Growth.
I’m writing this on December 29, 2022. A year ago I just hit 500 followers on Instagram and was excited. You couldn’t tell me shit! It was all organic growth the “proper” way to ensure good followers instead of paid growth. It’s a boring process but works. Today I have 691 followers. I won’t gran nine more in two days probably but my growth goal is to reach 1,000 followers by the end of 2023. I would also consider promotional growth suck as having an influencer post “follow this guy” because they still pop open your account and make the decision to do it after seeing some of your posts.
Twitter Growth.
My Twitter account currently has 173 followers and I want to hit the lofty goal of 500. It is doable but will take a lot of work. I am considering getting an online scheduling service so I can preplan my posts among several social media outlets and just deal with a single interface and program everything for a specific time and day so it will auto post as desired.
Blog Pieces.
April of 2021 was my last blog piece I published. I need to do better so this year it’s my goal to write six of them. Six is a good number and I already have a few done making it easily manageable. I don’t want to blow my wad early, but I have at least four scheduled for Mondays every two weeks starting the day after this post drops.
All of my goals listed here are reasonable and easy to accomplish which will give me a few wins in this forthcoming year.
Picture a young Michael Beebe, fresh out of La Porte High School in ’93, diving headfirst into the world of hospitality with a busboy gig at the old La Porte Holiday Inn. That hustle led him to an Associate of Science from Purdue-North Central in ’95 and a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management from Purdue-Calumet in ’97 (those schools are now merged into Purdue-Northwest, by the way). Michael’s early career was a whirlwind—running a 140-room hotel in Indianapolis, where he learned the ins and outs of the industry but realized it wasn’t his true calling. What did spark his passion? Teaching. He found himself thriving in front of students at Ivy Tech Community College and Lake Michigan College, sharing the art and science of hospitality management. Oh, and he also moonlighted at WIMS radio in Michigan City, juggling both on-air and behind-the-scenes roles with his signature high energy.
Politics? That’s been Michael’s sidekick since he was 18, registering to vote with a fire in his belly to make a difference. He threw his hat in the ring for La Porte County Council in 2010, where he got a crash course in the power of social media marketing. Undeterred by not winning, he campaigned for Indiana’s General Assembly in 2012 and took another shot at the County Council in 2014 and 2016. Though he hasn’t clinched a seat yet, Michael’s relentless drive to serve shines through. Lately, he’s been pouring that energy into helping other candidates who champion personal liberty, amplifying their voices with his knack for strategy.
Here’s a twist: Michael once co-owned a tattoo shop, despite having no ink himself. As the business manager and marketing guru, he leaned hard into low-cost, social media-driven campaigns to put the shop on the map. That experience fueled his love for digital marketing, and now he spends his free time crafting websites and boosting businesses online—a true labor of love.
These days, Michael’s living the dream as an independent contracted transporter, crisscrossing the country while getting paid to soak up new places and cultures. When he’s not exploring, he’s parked somewhere scenic, laptop open, building his digital consulting company, Spark Plug Strategies, or penning his thoughts. He even wrote a few books.
Based in La Porte County, Indiana, Michael’s embraced a “decentralized laptop lifestyle,” blending work, travel, and passion projects into a life that’s as dynamic as he is.
COVID-19 has sucked. We are fifty-six weeks into a two-week lockdown and we all need something social in our lives and that is the secret to life. Not to brag, but I found that secret, but I’m pretty sure it’s something different for everyone.
In Michigan City, Indiana we have an annual event called the Paddy Wagon. It’s a pub crawl sponsored by six to ten bars locally with a shuttle bus taking drinkers from one to another. It’s a St. Patrick’s Day event and held usually the Saturday closest to the holiday.
It’s been a year since we had an “event.” The Paddy Wagon was the last event last year before lockdown. It was a Saturday night and Monday started the restrictions. I was wall to wall with my friends and strangers on a bus so packed that the tires were squatting. It was glorious!
In walks lockdown. It was fifty-nine days between restaurant visits for me and the restaurant was in Missouri because Indiana was still engaged in the lockdown and after we opened up, it was only partial and hit snd miss as to which restaurants were open. I travel for work and dinner most nights consisted of Door Dash or Pizza Hut delivery at the desk in my hotel room when I was lucky or a sandwich from a kiosk at a truck stop or an airport.
A year later, March 20, 2021 Patty Wagon happened again. I got to my normal watering hole and it was packed. It was beautiful. Seeing how busy the bar was made me tear up. Saturday nights, buzzed, good looking bartenders, friends, live band playing, kiln-like temperatures, and good food en mass all made the night. Self-discovery happens at the strangest moments and that was mine. Out of the blue I realized what matters in my life and I later realized that my life isn’t for everyone and that’s ok. What makes me happy won’t make others happy and vise versa.
For me it’s not about the alcohol but the people having fun around me because that kind of happiness is infectious and just feels good to be around. Living life is the secret to happiness in life.
Survival is not enough because then you only live to live and for nothing more. When I was in that moment, there was no pending trade war or economic crisis; there was just a moment of peace where all was right with the world. We all have to find our inner peace somewhere; it just so happens mine is in places with a 3-way liquor license.
Picture a young Michael Beebe, fresh out of La Porte High School in ’93, diving headfirst into the world of hospitality with a busboy gig at the old La Porte Holiday Inn. That hustle led him to an Associate of Science from Purdue-North Central in ’95 and a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management from Purdue-Calumet in ’97 (those schools are now merged into Purdue-Northwest, by the way). Michael’s early career was a whirlwind—running a 140-room hotel in Indianapolis, where he learned the ins and outs of the industry but realized it wasn’t his true calling. What did spark his passion? Teaching. He found himself thriving in front of students at Ivy Tech Community College and Lake Michigan College, sharing the art and science of hospitality management. Oh, and he also moonlighted at WIMS radio in Michigan City, juggling both on-air and behind-the-scenes roles with his signature high energy.
Politics? That’s been Michael’s sidekick since he was 18, registering to vote with a fire in his belly to make a difference. He threw his hat in the ring for La Porte County Council in 2010, where he got a crash course in the power of social media marketing. Undeterred by not winning, he campaigned for Indiana’s General Assembly in 2012 and took another shot at the County Council in 2014 and 2016. Though he hasn’t clinched a seat yet, Michael’s relentless drive to serve shines through. Lately, he’s been pouring that energy into helping other candidates who champion personal liberty, amplifying their voices with his knack for strategy.
Here’s a twist: Michael once co-owned a tattoo shop, despite having no ink himself. As the business manager and marketing guru, he leaned hard into low-cost, social media-driven campaigns to put the shop on the map. That experience fueled his love for digital marketing, and now he spends his free time crafting websites and boosting businesses online—a true labor of love.
These days, Michael’s living the dream as an independent contracted transporter, crisscrossing the country while getting paid to soak up new places and cultures. When he’s not exploring, he’s parked somewhere scenic, laptop open, building his digital consulting company, Spark Plug Strategies, or penning his thoughts. He even wrote a few books.
Based in La Porte County, Indiana, Michael’s embraced a “decentralized laptop lifestyle,” blending work, travel, and passion projects into a life that’s as dynamic as he is.
So it’s a week and a half late with this and that’s fine. It’s April and always a busy month for me so this is my monthly resolution post. There aren’t many changes to show anyway.
The intermittent fasting has been going great…except when I accidentally almost pantsed myself in a gas station getting out of a truck. I need to bring my belt down two notches (it already needed one notch because I guess I bought one size too big). I feel better so I’m going to continue the 12-12 fasting. I’ve been able to be more disciplined and some days goes as much as 18 and 20 hours off.
Looking to the gig change, I see a friend doing it and it’s slow moving so when I pull the trigger, it won’t be an immediate change, which is probably better for me anyway. I don’t want to shock my system too much, but I have also started focusing on a transition, any transition. I decided to go the rest of the way in on Spark Plug Strategies. I can operate it from anywhere and I am truly free of location while running it with the exception of possible in-person client meetings. Some people still like the old fashioned touch and I actually prefer it. Skype and emails will serve the majority of clients though. Spark Plug Strategies is a full-service website design and design company I have been working on for a couple years so I can do everything from building your website to managing your social media and designing company letterhead. I just need an internet connection and iPad or laptop to stay in touch with clients and my design teams. There’s no reason for me not to go forward with it. I ordered business cards for it and plan to be fully functional on SPS by May 1st.
I also decided to add a blog piece during the month and I did. I really enjoyed writing Filth Fifteen and got a lot out of it personally so I decided to do two this month, one for sure. I have two quasi-related thoughts bouncing around in my head right now.
The book, Do You Have a Pen, is coming along slowly. I did create blank blog pieces on my website here to post each of the main chapters on when we have a countdown I will make sure everything is ready first before I do the countdown this time the pieces will comprise the first or second draft version of the book with some parts omitted the grammar will be horrible and there is gratuitous use of the word “that.” All of those issues will be fixed before it is published.
In essence, there’s not many changes from my last month’s resolution but I am feeling positive about this one. Next month might be a seemingly big change.
Picture a young Michael Beebe, fresh out of La Porte High School in ’93, diving headfirst into the world of hospitality with a busboy gig at the old La Porte Holiday Inn. That hustle led him to an Associate of Science from Purdue-North Central in ’95 and a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management from Purdue-Calumet in ’97 (those schools are now merged into Purdue-Northwest, by the way). Michael’s early career was a whirlwind—running a 140-room hotel in Indianapolis, where he learned the ins and outs of the industry but realized it wasn’t his true calling. What did spark his passion? Teaching. He found himself thriving in front of students at Ivy Tech Community College and Lake Michigan College, sharing the art and science of hospitality management. Oh, and he also moonlighted at WIMS radio in Michigan City, juggling both on-air and behind-the-scenes roles with his signature high energy.
Politics? That’s been Michael’s sidekick since he was 18, registering to vote with a fire in his belly to make a difference. He threw his hat in the ring for La Porte County Council in 2010, where he got a crash course in the power of social media marketing. Undeterred by not winning, he campaigned for Indiana’s General Assembly in 2012 and took another shot at the County Council in 2014 and 2016. Though he hasn’t clinched a seat yet, Michael’s relentless drive to serve shines through. Lately, he’s been pouring that energy into helping other candidates who champion personal liberty, amplifying their voices with his knack for strategy.
Here’s a twist: Michael once co-owned a tattoo shop, despite having no ink himself. As the business manager and marketing guru, he leaned hard into low-cost, social media-driven campaigns to put the shop on the map. That experience fueled his love for digital marketing, and now he spends his free time crafting websites and boosting businesses online—a true labor of love.
These days, Michael’s living the dream as an independent contracted transporter, crisscrossing the country while getting paid to soak up new places and cultures. When he’s not exploring, he’s parked somewhere scenic, laptop open, building his digital consulting company, Spark Plug Strategies, or penning his thoughts. He even wrote a few books.
Based in La Porte County, Indiana, Michael’s embraced a “decentralized laptop lifestyle,” blending work, travel, and passion projects into a life that’s as dynamic as he is.
One thing I love is history. To me, history is the telling of stories. 1492 doesn’t matter as much as Columbus sailing the ocean blue. The exact year is generally unimportant and taught to kids because teachers are babysitters giving out busywork instead of actually teaching. For good or for bad, history must be somewhat subjective or it’s the story of just facts as proven, then excluding nuance of significance. Conjecture and logic must be added to understand or question motivations. Without this conjecture, history books would simply be timelines of events with no wisdom behind the facts and that means no learning.
In 1984, Tipper Gore, wife of then US Representative Al Gore, bought their daughter the Purple Rain album by Prince. Using fake righteous indignation, Tipper acted appalled at the music. Working with an initially small group, all pretending they are so disconnected from their own past that they don’t remember the things they tried to watch and listen to (The Beatles, The Who, and Rolling Stones to start), feigned outrage, later forming the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC), an organization that will tell you just how dirty a song was as a resource to help musicians sell more music.
Let’s first understand Tipper. She was private school educated through high school. He father was an entrepreneur owning a plumbing supply company. She met her husband, Al Gore at his senior prom and started dating him right away. After high school she received a BA from Boston University and an MS from Vanderbilt, both in psychology. After graduating and getting married to the then future US Vice-President, she got a part time job for a newspaper in Nashville as a photographer. So a bored rich woman married a rich guy (Al Gore’s father was Al Gore Sr, a US Senator from Tennessee and Junior followed in the old man’s footsteps). One could assume she was out of touch with society. Ask a high ranking elected official the price of a loaf of bread or a gallon of milk and see what answers they give you. Tipper was born Mary Elizabeth, but her mother nicknamed her Tipper after a children’s story and the name stuck. She did advocate to help end homelessness, which is a big plus. I personally always question the motivations of people doing charity that looks good and wonder if she worked at McDonald’s if she would have been equally as active. Was her charity organic in nature? In the end, it doesn’t matter because she still did some good things regardless of why. When people are being helped, who cares if the reasons are selfish or truly altruistic?
When she sat with the wives of other US Representatives and started complaining about “dirty songs,” was that altruism or an attempt to grow her husband’s influence. A friend of mine refers to herself as a “corporate wife.” Her husband works and takes care of bringing in money and her job is to raise the kids and care for the home, but also help her husband further his career. Sometimes that could mean having a small gathering at their home and knowing which of his coworkers to invite. Tipper played “political wife” very well, all the way to Second Lady.
To paraphrase my thoughts, Tipper was a psychology major and baby boomer. I’m sure she knew music had these lyrics in it all along. She is six years younger than my father and he knew that music had naughty lyrics and metaphors in it all along. I truly believe this was a trick to help her husband’s political career. With the exception of attending a private Lutheran high school, there is nothing to indicate her to be extremely religious as a censorship advocate typically is.
The Parents Music Resource Center (xc) was soon created to try and control the consumption of music. This is the organization that helped get parental advisory warnings on album covers and proved that if you tell Americans something is dirty, we will consume vast and increased quantities of it. God bless the USA!
The plan, as stated, ultimately backfired because artists were able to have a platform to protest and be seen as victims of censorship and they were. Anytime you force someone to alter their designs in an attempt at controlling actions of consumers, you are censoring them. So what happened? Millions of thirteen year old boys flocked to Coconut Records to buy any album with the black parental advisory label on it! It was a glorious victory for economics, capitalism, and for Americans of all ages to give a big collective middle finger to the man. Look at the richest musicians and music producers of all time. More than fifty percent have an album with the parental advisory. Some musicians that held back then saw it as a license to absolute lyrical freedom and it paid big dividends.
To further parley her earnings potential, she wrote a book titled Raising PG Kids In An X-Rated Society.More brilliant marketing! Now she was selling a book after she had talked to the news media worldwide and as the wife of a senator from a “flyover state,” she finally had a real audience.
For fun and because everyone is wondering, the following is the original Filthy Fifteen:
1: Prince: Darling Nikki (1984)
2: Sheena Easton: Sugar Walls (1984)
3: Judas Priest: Eat Me Alive (1984)
4: Vanity: Strap On Robbie Baby (1984)
5: Mötley Crüe: Bastard (1983)
6: AC/DC: Let Me Put My Love Into You (1980)
7: Twisted Sister: We’re Not Gonna Take It (1984)
8: Madonna: Dress You Up (1984)
9: WASP: Animal (F__k Like A Beast) (1984)
10: Def Leppard: High’n’Dry (1981)
11: Mercyful Fate: Into The Coven (1983)
12: Black Sabbath: Trashed (1983)
13: Mary Jane Girls: In My House (1985)
14: Venom: Possessed (1985)
15: Cyndi Lauper: She Bop (1983)
You know that little black square that showed up when you bought a CD back then and persists to MP3’s today even? That’s all thanx to Tipper, the best music marketer of all time. She single-handedly sparked more album sales than any promoter before or after. If you wanted to be sure to go platinum, you had to make sure it had that parental warning…because kids always show their parents the music they bought and sit down on Sunday’s to discuss if Jesus would want them listening to it.
I’ve been contemplating starting a podcast for sometime now and it’s more of a matter of when and what than if. I’m going to do it. When I start and format are the only real questions. When I do, I will make sure to have that little black square as part of the cover art, which is not required since they are labeled explicit or not when you upload them. I will also make sure to set everything as explicit even if it’s not and all of this is just for the marketing thanx to Tipper Gore.
I don’t believe anyone from the baby boomer generation (the generation that brought us Woodstock) could be that out of touch and disconnected from society, regardless of the vast amounts of wealth and living an insulated life from us common folk as she was. Either Tipper is a great marketing genius who came up with the single best music selling strategy of all time, or she was such an out of touch prude, Big Al never got a good Tipper topper in his life, which could explain why he seems like he always has a stick up his ass.
Since this piece has to do with marketing and business as well as a personal interest in history, it was co-posted in both TheMichaelBeebe.com and on The Spark Plug Strategies website. Please check either site for more and follow both on social media. Spark Plug Strategies is in the process of being rebuilt so there may not be a lot there for right now, especially if you go to the site near the publication of this blog piece. Spark Plug Strategies is the business name under which Michael does website design and other digital media work.
Picture a young Michael Beebe, fresh out of La Porte High School in ’93, diving headfirst into the world of hospitality with a busboy gig at the old La Porte Holiday Inn. That hustle led him to an Associate of Science from Purdue-North Central in ’95 and a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management from Purdue-Calumet in ’97 (those schools are now merged into Purdue-Northwest, by the way). Michael’s early career was a whirlwind—running a 140-room hotel in Indianapolis, where he learned the ins and outs of the industry but realized it wasn’t his true calling. What did spark his passion? Teaching. He found himself thriving in front of students at Ivy Tech Community College and Lake Michigan College, sharing the art and science of hospitality management. Oh, and he also moonlighted at WIMS radio in Michigan City, juggling both on-air and behind-the-scenes roles with his signature high energy.
Politics? That’s been Michael’s sidekick since he was 18, registering to vote with a fire in his belly to make a difference. He threw his hat in the ring for La Porte County Council in 2010, where he got a crash course in the power of social media marketing. Undeterred by not winning, he campaigned for Indiana’s General Assembly in 2012 and took another shot at the County Council in 2014 and 2016. Though he hasn’t clinched a seat yet, Michael’s relentless drive to serve shines through. Lately, he’s been pouring that energy into helping other candidates who champion personal liberty, amplifying their voices with his knack for strategy.
Here’s a twist: Michael once co-owned a tattoo shop, despite having no ink himself. As the business manager and marketing guru, he leaned hard into low-cost, social media-driven campaigns to put the shop on the map. That experience fueled his love for digital marketing, and now he spends his free time crafting websites and boosting businesses online—a true labor of love.
These days, Michael’s living the dream as an independent contracted transporter, crisscrossing the country while getting paid to soak up new places and cultures. When he’s not exploring, he’s parked somewhere scenic, laptop open, building his digital consulting company, Spark Plug Strategies, or penning his thoughts. He even wrote a few books.
Based in La Porte County, Indiana, Michael’s embraced a “decentralized laptop lifestyle,” blending work, travel, and passion projects into a life that’s as dynamic as he is.
First and foremost, I want to continue the intermittent fasting as I have been for the last month with the 12-12 cycle. I have been feeling better while doing it and want to continue that good feeling with a plan of going to the 6-18 version for April.
Working on editing the book has been almost nonexistent, but the nice thing about your own book is that you are the only one in true control over it, so I will focus this month on getting the rough drafts turned into a final draft.
Lastly is the new contracting job. I have decided to go for it. There is no reason not to and I will focus on the training over the next month in-between my regular job.
Adding a fourth resolution that is not associated with any of the previous ones, I want to post one blog piece this month that is seemingly random and departs from what I have normally posted. I want to do something I find fun or of interest.
In review, I enjoyed the results of the fasting enough that I will continue it, I was lazy and busy which put my book into further delay, and I made the decision to transfer to a new line of work (causing a great deal of anxiety).
For more pieces like this, please go to The Michael Beebe so you can be part of the fun.
Picture a young Michael Beebe, fresh out of La Porte High School in ’93, diving headfirst into the world of hospitality with a busboy gig at the old La Porte Holiday Inn. That hustle led him to an Associate of Science from Purdue-North Central in ’95 and a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management from Purdue-Calumet in ’97 (those schools are now merged into Purdue-Northwest, by the way). Michael’s early career was a whirlwind—running a 140-room hotel in Indianapolis, where he learned the ins and outs of the industry but realized it wasn’t his true calling. What did spark his passion? Teaching. He found himself thriving in front of students at Ivy Tech Community College and Lake Michigan College, sharing the art and science of hospitality management. Oh, and he also moonlighted at WIMS radio in Michigan City, juggling both on-air and behind-the-scenes roles with his signature high energy.
Politics? That’s been Michael’s sidekick since he was 18, registering to vote with a fire in his belly to make a difference. He threw his hat in the ring for La Porte County Council in 2010, where he got a crash course in the power of social media marketing. Undeterred by not winning, he campaigned for Indiana’s General Assembly in 2012 and took another shot at the County Council in 2014 and 2016. Though he hasn’t clinched a seat yet, Michael’s relentless drive to serve shines through. Lately, he’s been pouring that energy into helping other candidates who champion personal liberty, amplifying their voices with his knack for strategy.
Here’s a twist: Michael once co-owned a tattoo shop, despite having no ink himself. As the business manager and marketing guru, he leaned hard into low-cost, social media-driven campaigns to put the shop on the map. That experience fueled his love for digital marketing, and now he spends his free time crafting websites and boosting businesses online—a true labor of love.
These days, Michael’s living the dream as an independent contracted transporter, crisscrossing the country while getting paid to soak up new places and cultures. When he’s not exploring, he’s parked somewhere scenic, laptop open, building his digital consulting company, Spark Plug Strategies, or penning his thoughts. He even wrote a few books.
Based in La Porte County, Indiana, Michael’s embraced a “decentralized laptop lifestyle,” blending work, travel, and passion projects into a life that’s as dynamic as he is.
Today starts my attempted new chapter. I say "chapter," because a month is more analogous to the section that is a year in the book of our lifetime. Either way, I have set up a few mini goals or monthly resolutions for this month. This is my first month doing this and is the follow up to Monthly Resolution.
Resolution 1: Intermittent Fasting.
This will suck, but if I don't like it or it becomes a problem, it is only twenty-eight days. I can handle that. I plan to do the 18:6 version, where I don't eat for eighteen hours and have a six hour window in which I can eat. I won't maintain any metrics with this and it's more experimental to get used to doing something healthy. My goal will be, in the future, to include metrics and measurements.
Resolution 2: Book.
Next is my book. My birthday is April 7. I had planned to have my book drop on my birthday last year and it didn't. I had the main part written, but I had a lot of work to do still. Written doesn't mean "written well." Now my goal is to polish off a few chapters at the end and make them better and I have asked a friend of mine to help with the first edit and make me not sound like an idiot. One thing I have learned about writing a book is that you get sick of seeing your own words after a while and proofreading is painfully boring. I will finish the first draft, save a rough copy for online promotion and a website, then get a good version between myself and my friend Jack. I had my friend Robert look over the book for factual information. For instance, is that 58 or 99 that goes from Barstow to Bakersfield? It's 58, but it's helpful to have someone whom has traveled the same roads and experienced some of the same things as I have to give it a good once over. The resolution is to have a final draft for publication by February 28 that I can proceed with. I have also decided to change the name of the book, which will be a pain in the ass for the March 2021 Resolution (which will be available on March 1st, 2021 at 8AM Central).
Resolution 3: Work.
I like what I do. With that said, it is destroying my body at an alarming rate. I am addicted to the travel, but it is more and more difficult with every passing week in the way in which I have to do it and a friend of mine has taken to a job that sounds rather boring and only local travel, but it pays really well and you set your own hours. I would make more and be able to have a more regular work schedule and possibly have weekends off. I don't plan to pull the trigger on that new job, but I am resolving to do a thorough investigation into it to see if it would be a good fit for me. More importantly, I would probably have to rent office space as a work expense, which would allow me to have a work space to follow other passions I have.
I feel like this is enough stuff to keep me busy for a month and it hits health, personal growth, and financial growth. Most importantly, it is attainable.
For more pieces like this, please go to The Michael Beebe so you can be part of the fun.
Picture a young Michael Beebe, fresh out of La Porte High School in ’93, diving headfirst into the world of hospitality with a busboy gig at the old La Porte Holiday Inn. That hustle led him to an Associate of Science from Purdue-North Central in ’95 and a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management from Purdue-Calumet in ’97 (those schools are now merged into Purdue-Northwest, by the way). Michael’s early career was a whirlwind—running a 140-room hotel in Indianapolis, where he learned the ins and outs of the industry but realized it wasn’t his true calling. What did spark his passion? Teaching. He found himself thriving in front of students at Ivy Tech Community College and Lake Michigan College, sharing the art and science of hospitality management. Oh, and he also moonlighted at WIMS radio in Michigan City, juggling both on-air and behind-the-scenes roles with his signature high energy.
Politics? That’s been Michael’s sidekick since he was 18, registering to vote with a fire in his belly to make a difference. He threw his hat in the ring for La Porte County Council in 2010, where he got a crash course in the power of social media marketing. Undeterred by not winning, he campaigned for Indiana’s General Assembly in 2012 and took another shot at the County Council in 2014 and 2016. Though he hasn’t clinched a seat yet, Michael’s relentless drive to serve shines through. Lately, he’s been pouring that energy into helping other candidates who champion personal liberty, amplifying their voices with his knack for strategy.
Here’s a twist: Michael once co-owned a tattoo shop, despite having no ink himself. As the business manager and marketing guru, he leaned hard into low-cost, social media-driven campaigns to put the shop on the map. That experience fueled his love for digital marketing, and now he spends his free time crafting websites and boosting businesses online—a true labor of love.
These days, Michael’s living the dream as an independent contracted transporter, crisscrossing the country while getting paid to soak up new places and cultures. When he’s not exploring, he’s parked somewhere scenic, laptop open, building his digital consulting company, Spark Plug Strategies, or penning his thoughts. He even wrote a few books.
Based in La Porte County, Indiana, Michael’s embraced a “decentralized laptop lifestyle,” blending work, travel, and passion projects into a life that’s as dynamic as he is.
Like most people, I suck at New Years resolutions. Times Tribune’s Jerod Mills wrote, “Studies show that only 8% of Americans who make a New Year’s resolution actually keep them all year and 80% have failed by the start of February.” So being February first, 92% of us gave up already. That means we are all failures and have to wait around another year just to make another feeble attempt at weight loss. Well crap! Now what? Hit that all you can eat buffet and then go home and cry as you eat a whole tub of Ben & Jerry’s to yourself as you sob tears of failure on the kitchen floor.
When COVID-19 hit and everyone panicked and lost their minds, states went into lockdown mode for two to three weeks. It lasted roughly two months in the end. I went something like 56 or 59 days without eating in a restaurant, which was too long. We got through it, though it really sucked. Catholics have Lent and that lasts 40 days. I remember how much Lent sucked. This is ten days less!
I’m a big fan of Tim Ferriss so you will get two references to two different books of his. The first is 4-Hour Work Week. To paraphrase one of the premises the author stated, it’s about taking mini vacations throughout life while you can enjoy things instead of being on the “standard plan” of working till 65, drawing a retirement, going to see mountains you are too old to climb or swimming in oceans you are too out of shape to pass a SCUBA test to dive into. Also wouldn’t it suck to decide you wanted to move to Panama in your golden years based on what others told you, then you sell everything and buy a place there only to discover you can’t handle the humidity and you should have moved to Arizona instead?
Let’s apply this theory to a New Year’s resolution too. Maybe you decided to learn to speak French only to realize you don’t like how it sounds or you meet a beautiful Colombian woman and Spanish was the better answer for you. You’re less invested in French and maybe know a couple words down the line. So let’s focus on monthly resolutions. You can survive a month of going to the gym, eating no carbs, two hours a day of guitar practice, or intermittent fasting. When the month is over, give up if you hate it or work it into your lifestyle if you found it rewarding.
I have both print and audio versions of the Tim Ferriss book “4-Hour Body,” where he makes the valid argument where we all want immediate gratification and one month of the Slow Carb Diet can cause a loss of as much as twenty pounds, which is one pant size. Don’t make the resolution so easy that you will see no results. I can’t expect conversational Spanish in one month, but we can expect you to be able to order in Spanish at your favorite Mexican restaurant after one month of good Spanish learning (as opposed to how high schools teach Spanish).
I am proposing at least two resolutions per month with one directly relating to health and wellness. The other, I feel, should be related to money and / or happiness.
Picture a young Michael Beebe, fresh out of La Porte High School in ’93, diving headfirst into the world of hospitality with a busboy gig at the old La Porte Holiday Inn. That hustle led him to an Associate of Science from Purdue-North Central in ’95 and a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management from Purdue-Calumet in ’97 (those schools are now merged into Purdue-Northwest, by the way). Michael’s early career was a whirlwind—running a 140-room hotel in Indianapolis, where he learned the ins and outs of the industry but realized it wasn’t his true calling. What did spark his passion? Teaching. He found himself thriving in front of students at Ivy Tech Community College and Lake Michigan College, sharing the art and science of hospitality management. Oh, and he also moonlighted at WIMS radio in Michigan City, juggling both on-air and behind-the-scenes roles with his signature high energy.
Politics? That’s been Michael’s sidekick since he was 18, registering to vote with a fire in his belly to make a difference. He threw his hat in the ring for La Porte County Council in 2010, where he got a crash course in the power of social media marketing. Undeterred by not winning, he campaigned for Indiana’s General Assembly in 2012 and took another shot at the County Council in 2014 and 2016. Though he hasn’t clinched a seat yet, Michael’s relentless drive to serve shines through. Lately, he’s been pouring that energy into helping other candidates who champion personal liberty, amplifying their voices with his knack for strategy.
Here’s a twist: Michael once co-owned a tattoo shop, despite having no ink himself. As the business manager and marketing guru, he leaned hard into low-cost, social media-driven campaigns to put the shop on the map. That experience fueled his love for digital marketing, and now he spends his free time crafting websites and boosting businesses online—a true labor of love.
These days, Michael’s living the dream as an independent contracted transporter, crisscrossing the country while getting paid to soak up new places and cultures. When he’s not exploring, he’s parked somewhere scenic, laptop open, building his digital consulting company, Spark Plug Strategies, or penning his thoughts. He even wrote a few books.
Based in La Porte County, Indiana, Michael’s embraced a “decentralized laptop lifestyle,” blending work, travel, and passion projects into a life that’s as dynamic as he is.
OK. So the 2020 one didn't go so great and I will take the easy way out and blame Covid for it, even though I am not Covid and I am responsible for my own failings. It became difficult to maintain any form of motivation so I am pretending 2020 did not exist and I am taking a do over on the things that are important to me.
Get healthier. First is the whole "get in shape" one. This is important. Since I started this job, I have gained just over one hundred pounds and had no idea. That cannot be healthy. I will write another piece titled Lifestyle Plan soon to give what my full battle plan is for getting in better shape.
Publish Book. This is sort of a feel-good throwaway I threw in here. I all it a throwaway because it’s been a long-time aspiration of mine to write a book but I always got derailed. It’s no secret now that I have written a book and the final touches are being added to it. It is currently scheduled to be published on my birthday, April 7th. There is still a lot to do before that date, but it is far enough out that everything should be in place by that point. The book is about my travels and has some interesting events thrown in throughout. It became a personal passion project for me and kind of gave me a writing bug. I am proud of my work on it and grateful to those who have both helped me and agreed to help me with other aspects coming up for the book prior to its release.
The preceding was mine from last year. Truthfully, the whole Covid thing threw me off and I was so close to finishing but didn't. The main part of the book is actually done, but I just need to get some ancillary stuff done and editing. I also have all year to do it. I even did a countdown to the book release and nothing. So I have a full year now.
Fully Form Spark Plug Strategies. Though it exists, I want to focus on the website and features of a consulting and design firm, Spark Plug Strategies, which I have decided to start. The primary focus is digital (websites, apps, social media marketing), but I also need to get systems in place that allow people to get full service consulting and design out of us. For instance, I want to help someone brand their business, create logos, and get physical business cards in the hands of the principals that fit the branding. It’s not just about doing a website here and there, but full synergy.
New Years Resolutions 2022. I want to keep this going and make it an annual tradition. This was from last year and I have achieved this one so good on me!
Take a Vacation. Most people know that with my job, I travel a lot and I see some really cool things. Sometimes I get a day-cation somewhere, but usually out of necessity. When I see cool things, it usually has to do with me making some time and maybe spending a couple hours somewhere, but I think I need a few days somewhere. It can be by myself or with friends, but I haven’t really been anywhere for leisure in four or five years and even that time felt forced in a way. I just need a couple two or three days of relaxation and limited schedules to just have fun and see what happens and do it somewhere more than a hundred miles from home.
Take a Selfie Every Day. I have listed this one before, but I need to focus on it. It seems rather egotistical, but it’s actually not. I refuse to be in a picture if I am not shaved (head and face) within the last 48-hours. This is about me keeping up with my appearance and making how I look a priority and being presentable.
Start a Podcast. I have been wanting to and kicking it around for a while and I just need to get off my ass and do it.
I’m not about that “new year, new me” bullshit. Everyone knows that’s not my style, but I have isolated some goals to personally focus on for the next year. This resolution is sort of a “tell it to the world” idea to help hold me accountable and focus on accomplishing what’s on the list.
Picture a young Michael Beebe, fresh out of La Porte High School in ’93, diving headfirst into the world of hospitality with a busboy gig at the old La Porte Holiday Inn. That hustle led him to an Associate of Science from Purdue-North Central in ’95 and a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management from Purdue-Calumet in ’97 (those schools are now merged into Purdue-Northwest, by the way). Michael’s early career was a whirlwind—running a 140-room hotel in Indianapolis, where he learned the ins and outs of the industry but realized it wasn’t his true calling. What did spark his passion? Teaching. He found himself thriving in front of students at Ivy Tech Community College and Lake Michigan College, sharing the art and science of hospitality management. Oh, and he also moonlighted at WIMS radio in Michigan City, juggling both on-air and behind-the-scenes roles with his signature high energy.
Politics? That’s been Michael’s sidekick since he was 18, registering to vote with a fire in his belly to make a difference. He threw his hat in the ring for La Porte County Council in 2010, where he got a crash course in the power of social media marketing. Undeterred by not winning, he campaigned for Indiana’s General Assembly in 2012 and took another shot at the County Council in 2014 and 2016. Though he hasn’t clinched a seat yet, Michael’s relentless drive to serve shines through. Lately, he’s been pouring that energy into helping other candidates who champion personal liberty, amplifying their voices with his knack for strategy.
Here’s a twist: Michael once co-owned a tattoo shop, despite having no ink himself. As the business manager and marketing guru, he leaned hard into low-cost, social media-driven campaigns to put the shop on the map. That experience fueled his love for digital marketing, and now he spends his free time crafting websites and boosting businesses online—a true labor of love.
These days, Michael’s living the dream as an independent contracted transporter, crisscrossing the country while getting paid to soak up new places and cultures. When he’s not exploring, he’s parked somewhere scenic, laptop open, building his digital consulting company, Spark Plug Strategies, or penning his thoughts. He even wrote a few books.
Based in La Porte County, Indiana, Michael’s embraced a “decentralized laptop lifestyle,” blending work, travel, and passion projects into a life that’s as dynamic as he is.
Picture a young Michael Beebe, fresh out of La Porte High School in ’93, diving headfirst into the world of hospitality with a busboy gig at the old La Porte Holiday Inn. That hustle led him to an Associate of Science from Purdue-North Central in ’95 and a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management from Purdue-Calumet in ’97 (those schools are now merged into Purdue-Northwest, by the way). Michael’s early career was a whirlwind—running a 140-room hotel in Indianapolis, where he learned the ins and outs of the industry but realized it wasn’t his true calling. What did spark his passion? Teaching. He found himself thriving in front of students at Ivy Tech Community College and Lake Michigan College, sharing the art and science of hospitality management. Oh, and he also moonlighted at WIMS radio in Michigan City, juggling both on-air and behind-the-scenes roles with his signature high energy.
Politics? That’s been Michael’s sidekick since he was 18, registering to vote with a fire in his belly to make a difference. He threw his hat in the ring for La Porte County Council in 2010, where he got a crash course in the power of social media marketing. Undeterred by not winning, he campaigned for Indiana’s General Assembly in 2012 and took another shot at the County Council in 2014 and 2016. Though he hasn’t clinched a seat yet, Michael’s relentless drive to serve shines through. Lately, he’s been pouring that energy into helping other candidates who champion personal liberty, amplifying their voices with his knack for strategy.
Here’s a twist: Michael once co-owned a tattoo shop, despite having no ink himself. As the business manager and marketing guru, he leaned hard into low-cost, social media-driven campaigns to put the shop on the map. That experience fueled his love for digital marketing, and now he spends his free time crafting websites and boosting businesses online—a true labor of love.
These days, Michael’s living the dream as an independent contracted transporter, crisscrossing the country while getting paid to soak up new places and cultures. When he’s not exploring, he’s parked somewhere scenic, laptop open, building his digital consulting company, Spark Plug Strategies, or penning his thoughts. He even wrote a few books.
Based in La Porte County, Indiana, Michael’s embraced a “decentralized laptop lifestyle,” blending work, travel, and passion projects into a life that’s as dynamic as he is.
Creating a strong personal brand involves several key elements, and one of the most crucial is having a distinctive logo. A logo serves as the visual representation of your brand, encapsulating your identity, values, and professionalism in a single image. It's often the first thing people notice about your brand and can leave a lasting impression. Therefore, investing in a well-designed logo is essential for building a recognizable and impactful personal brand.
The rationale behind creating a single username across all social media platforms is rooted in the principles of consistency and recognizability. By using a uniform username, businesses and individuals can significantly enhance their brand identity, making it easier for audiences to find and follow them across various platforms. This uniformity contributes to building trust and credibility, presenting a cohesive and professional image to the public.
Using a consistent username for personal hashtags further strengthens your brand's presence and visibility on social media. Hashtags serve as a powerful tool for organizing content and making it discoverable to a broader audience. When your hashtag matches your username, it enhances the association between your brand and the content you create. This makes it easier for your audience to engage with your posts, follow ongoing campaigns, and participate in conversations related to your brand.
Using a consistent username as your website domain name offers several advantages. Firstly, it reinforces your brand's identity by maintaining uniformity across social media and your website. This consistency helps your audience easily connect your online presence, whether they are visiting your social media profiles or your website. When users see a familiar name, it instills a sense of trust and reliability, making them more likely to engage with your content and services.
Establishing a personal brand requires several elements, and one of the most crucial is a distinctive logo. A logo serves as the visual representation of your brand, encapsulating your identity, values, and professionalism in a single image. It is the first thing people notice about your brand and often the lasting impression they carry with them. Therefore, investing in a well-designed logo is essential for creating a strong and recognizable personal brand.
Creating a strong personal brand involves several key elements, and one of the most crucial is having a distinctive logo. A logo serves as the visual representation of your brand, encapsulating your identity, values, and professionalism in a single image. It's often the first thing people notice about your brand and can leave a lasting impression. Therefore, investing in a well-designed logo is essential for building a recognizable and impactful personal brand.
I decided to come up with five easy to follow tips that EVERYONE on social media needs to follow to better represent their brand. The brand can be a business or for you yourself personally because you are your own brand. This isn't just for social media, but a set of five easy rules for life too.
A lot of people want their social media presence to be impeccable and think the only way to achieve that is by living life virtually and putting the best version of themselves out online. The general public will see that as a fake and you still have a life to live. Unless you are making money from the internet, please do not treat it as a job onto itself. You have far better things to do.
Making unique content is important. This does not mean to not post the same core content on your Twitter as you did your TikTok and Instagram but it does mean not to copy what others are doing with the exception of trends. Posting trends is a great way to get more followers on your video platforms. I am even leery of the Pinterest posts that say "365 Blog Post Titles to Get You Started" because of how many others may use the exit same name and idea. Be original and if you can't be original, at least be creative in your subterfuge and originality will ensue from that. Every once in a while I will post something others are suggesting, such as "post your work area on social media." the get mixed results and I feel mike a dancing monkey when I do it without the reward of some peanuts in the end and I only do it if I haven't posted anything in a while or to break up monotonous postings like when I did 15 days from Monday to Friday for three weeks of my various social media outlets and how to follow me. It got boring less than half way through yet they were scheduled for 1PM every day still and I hadn't gone anywhere with exceptional food or views at the time to show pictures of as a way to break it up a little bit.
This tip was inspired by LinkedIn, but works with anything social really. LinkedIn is nothing more than a dick measuring contest between professionals. Don't get me wrong, I love LinkedIn and love measuring my own dick, but part of a proper dick measuring is honesty. If you are just adding someone so you can sell them something, just be upfront about that and don't try acting like you are old buddies.
Engaging, topical, educational, informative, and funny are your five main motivators for people to engage with you. Think of a dog at a party. If you are having a party and a golden retriever came in, EVERYBODY would love the dog more than anyone else. The dog would make a bunch of friends and be more popular than the most popular person there, because dogs are fun and engaging. If you can teach people something and they enjoy learning, they will follow you for more. IF you are informing them of a news event, people will follow you for more. How many news outlets do you follow on Twitter? Comedians also have huge follow numbers on social media. Have you ever wondered why?
Gary Lee often tells people to "be authentic." Though I generally appreciate what he has built and have learned a lot from him, I find it humorous that "be yourself" is his sage-like advice and it works because so many people don't think to just not lie to people or try to make themselves seem to be of greater importance. Because of my current job, I fly a lot. In the last six years I have been on more than 300 flights including connections, which became a way of life during and after the COVID-19 scare. I've flown a lot. I have sat in every row from the mouth to the asshole on a number of different flights. So I love when I am online and you see the woman with her Gucci handbag and sunglasses acting like a roll model to the next year's cast of Sugar Babies posting pictures of how successful she is and she posts a picture out of the window on takeoff...behind the wing when my broke ass even gets to sit forward of that. She is trying to show herself to be more successful than she is, playing on people's lack of deductive reasoning that she is sitting in the cheap seats. Guys do it too and all the time too. There is huge money in renting a Lamborghini for the day in Miami and taking pictures of people posing in front of it by the beachfront so guys can be posers on their social media and Tinder profiles. both men and women try to mimic people they can't afford to be even though they still have something others could learn from. Authenticity is so very important and sadly will set you apart from the crowd.
I always enjoy writing these and sharing what I know or have researched with others and I hope people get something out of my postings. I personally get something out of coming up with infographics like I did here for my social media shares and now I am writing blog pieces on them so it gave me extra content that is evergreen.
So where do you eat?
There’s an old adage for traveling that says you don’t eat places you can eat at home. So where do I recommend eating? In no particular order, they are:
In-N-Out Burger. Good price. I’m not a fan but I’m alone in that. Everyone I know loves them and it’s cheap enough for a lunch stop and two meals out for the day if you find another place with a reasonable price. I know they are a chain place but Las Vegas or Phoenix are probably the farthest East they go.
Where do you drink?
What do you do?
Remember the point of this piece was to help you save money. If you can afford to stay at the Wynn, this wasn’t for you. This was for the average person to maximize their Vegas vacation.
This year I am keeping things simple and doing four small goals for my New Year’s resolution. I’ve failed in years past with lofty goals and even tried breaking the, into monthly resolutions, which would work normally, but but the last eighteen months has been rather unusual with a lot of things coming my way unexpectedly. I’ve basically been on autopilot. I’m focusing just on my digital presence for my resolutions this year. Don’t get me wrong. I do have other goals as well, but I need to achieve them or work towards them at my own pace without the stress of a 365 day timeframe hanging over my head.
COVID-19 has sucked. We are fifty-six weeks into a two-week lockdown and we all need something social in our lives and that is the secret to life. Not to brag, but I found that secret, but I’m pretty sure it’s something different for everyone.
So it’s a week and a half late with this and that’s fine. It’s April and always a busy month for me so this is my monthly resolution post. There aren’t many changes to show anyway.
This will be a short and easy one.
Like most people, I suck at New Years resolutions. Times Tribune’s Jerod Mills wrote, “Studies show that only 8% of Americans who make a New Year’s resolution actually keep them all year and 80% have failed by the start of February.” So being February first, 92% of us gave up already. That means we are all failures and have to wait around another year just to make another feeble attempt at weight loss. Well crap! Now what? Hit that all you can eat buffet and then go home and cry as you eat a whole tub of Ben & Jerry’s to yourself as you sob tears of failure on the kitchen floor.