If you are reading this, you already have a good chance of being an unmarketer. The basic concept of this book is to be social, personal and use word of mouth in your marketing plans rather than SEO (which is mainly directed to machines, not people).

So, if you are reading this, you already know what it is to be human, to read rather than scan for keywords and to choose content over flash. You know how to be engaging. But, you could use some extra ideas to apply those skills to your business, web site, blog and/ or social media online.

You can't fake passion.

Introduce yourself to people when they visit your site. Think about your own visits to other sites, what worked and what did not. Does a site work better when you know the site owner, or at least see a photo of them?

Chances are you are not selling a marketing scheme but visitors to your site may not be seeing that. What first impression are you making on Twitter, Facebook and your blog? Are you engaging new and existing readers, followers and friends? Do you give them something to come back for? Could you be offering something to bring them back? Do you ask them for anything, even something small like a comment on your blog?

You can't have presence without being present.

Scott Stratten is writing about better customer service, being an unmarketer rather than a faceless marketer who focuses on sales but not on the people holding the wallets. He gives perspective and ideas which encourage everyone to think like a human being rather than a marketing machine. Each chapter of the book deals with different forms of media and marketing ideas.

You can't automate authenticity.

I bought the book because I'm fed up with the rabid machine marketing which is pretty out of control online. But, the book is not meant to be for online/ web marketers only. Anyone with a business will benefit from the ideas and advice in this book.

Visit Unmarketing.com for more ideas, resources and sign up for newsletters.

The Wireless, Optical, Laser Mouse

It's not especially attractive looking but it does fit into my hand nicely as I work. I like not having a cord to deal with on top of my work space. I even like that it was an HP company product because the rest of my computer is the same, even though I didn't buy it all at one time, or place.

However, the wireless mouse does have a couple of issues.

1. It runs on batteries. This means it will run out of battery power without much notice.

2. It does not like mousepads with any kind of design on them. In fact, mousepads seem to drive it completely crazy!

Sure it gets gunky looking after awhile but that's common for all computer mice so I'm not counting that against this mouse in particular. I just use some hand sanitizer on it and that degunks it and cleans up nice.

As for the real issues... I have found solutions!

Your Wireless Mouse Will Eat Batteries

The wireless mouse will go through standard batteries in about 3 months, from my experience. True, I did not always remember to turn the switch off at the bottom of the mouse. If you do, that will help your battery live longer. However, we aren't so perfect.

My solution is rechargeable batteries.

Look for the Right Size and Type of Batteries

Make sure you check the batteries which your computer mouse has come with. Most likely they will be double A (AA) batteries and type of battery will be NIMH (nickel-metal hydride). You don't want to get the wrong type of battery. I've never tested this but it seems one of those things I can leave untested and just trust the advice of others.

If you already have the recharger you can just buy the batteries. I bought the whole set because the set I used to have I had given away when I thought I no longer needed rechargeable batteries with my camera. (It has a different rechargeable battery).

Have you Ever Seen your Mouse Go Wild?

Or, Why I Use my Mousepad Upside Down

One of the very first things I learned about having a wireless, optical, laser based mouse was how wild it tends to get. There I am working, focused... suddenly the cursor shoots across the screen and seems to be having a mad dance all on it's own. It is untameable, feral and wild. Of course, this was not what I wanted in a meek and mild computer mouse.

This was the first wireless mouse I had bought. I was not at all prepared for the difference between the mouse with a cord (like a leash) and the mouse allowed to be wild and fancy-free. No one told me I'd been to buy a new mousepad when I bought the new mouse.

Of course, this was not my first choice in how to deal with the problem. I had just replaced the smiley face mousepad I've been using for over ten years. I took my time, shopped and picked my way through an endless variety of mousepads, before I choose the deluxe Irish coffee in a jade cup and saucer with a shamrock in latte art on top. I picked it for my Grandmother, who was Irish. I picked it because the jade cup and saucer are favourites of my Mother. I also picked it because I enjoy latte art and coffee. So, this was the chosen mousepad. Replace it? For a mere computer mouse? The very idea was ludicrous.

So I skim the edges of my mousepad where the design doesn't reach. It's a compromise. Now and then the laser must hit a bit of latte steam at the top of the design. The cursor will still have a moment of crazy outbursts now and then, but most of the time it works out. I use my mousepad upside down and the computer mouse tries to control it's fixation on pattern and design.

The Computer Mouse Cozy - found in an Etsy shop.

Take that Mouse and Mod It!

If you really want to do more with your computer mouse consider... PC modification and customization. Take your computer mouse apart, add ears and a tail made with a string of LED lights. Then pull off the old computer tower (the case covering your computer) chop it up and add gizmos and gadgets to it. Don't leave out the keyboard and the monitor...

This is far beyond what most people want to do. But, the results are amazing, breath-taking!

It's also a good way to repurpose old computer hardware.

You Don't Need to be a Professional Geek or Social Media Diva to use Twitter

I started using Twitter in 2008. I know this because it says so on my Twitter profile. I don't actually remember starting Twitter, other than working out how to say everything in the space of 140 characters. Twitter is good for teaching writers to be less wordy, sometimes. Not every writer really learns this. I can't say I have been completely reformed.

People seem to care a lot about Twitter as a marketing campaign. They miss out on Twitter as a social media. Twitter as a way to follow not just other Twitter people but to get a general feed of all your personal interests as well. I use Twitter as a hobby. I don't make it a chore, or a work horse or a marketing tool. Twitter is still fun for me and I still like it, five years later.

Don't assume I am not also posting links to the content I create. I just do more than that. You can too!

The best way to be great on Twitter is: Don't think of Twitter as a Marketing Scheme

If you want Twitter followers just to get followers then spam away. But, you won't have people following you who actually read what you post. It will be bots, other spammers and people who signed up for Twitter and then abandoned their accounts. People - real people - don't want to read Twitter feeds which are full of links, regurgitated quotations, automated posts and other stuff and debris you wouldn't want to read yourself.

Of course you want to post your links to Twitter. Do that, but in moderation. Once is enough. Twice is still ok but if you post the same link a third time... it becomes a commercial and people are less likely to pay attention the next time you post a link. No one wants to watch the commercials. We want fresh, original and timely!

Also, keep your post short. Don't use all 140 characters. Leaving at least 40 or more will allow someone else to repost your link and add some comment of their own. The more space you can give them, the better. But, at the least, they need enough to repost the link without editing your original text or removing your Twitter @name.

Don't be a troll.

Join conversations, start conversations, ask questions, share information. This is how you show other human beings you really exist and are not just a marketing robot on autopilot.

Don't use a lot of scheduled posts. Be available when you post so you can catch feedback in the moment and interact with people rather than just adding to the clutter of posts.

On the other hand, don't get obsessed with it. You can't chain yourself to the computer and hope to stay awake and read everything from everyone. You're going to miss stuff. That's ok. Twitter is like a bird, it takes flight - here one minute and gone the next. Respond to tweets while you are there, don't drive yourself nuts trying to keep up with everything. That way is madness!

Don't send private messages.

It is extremely rare that anything sent as a private message (DM) on Twitter isn't just spam or an automatic message of some kind, which is just another form of spam. Most people no longer read anything not in the main Twitter feed.

Don't follow people just for the sake of Twitter stats.

This is really important and not everyone will understand. The best way to get followers on Twitter is to pick and choose who you follow. Do not follow everyone who follows you.

When someone follows you see who they are. Do they interest you? Would you like to read their next Twitter post? Are they active? Or, too active? Do they have conversation or just post links? Do they retweet (repost or pass on) links from other people on Twitter?

When you do choose to follow someone don't just click Follow and go on your way. Be smarter! Send them a note. Tell them who you are, how you found them, why you followed them, etc. Introduce yourself. This is how you get Twitter followers. People want interesting people to follow them but the way to get people interested is to be interesting and... interested in them.

Help for Twitter Beginners

It seems impossible to find anything about using Twitter for something other than marketing. However, the secret to using Twitter to get attention, promote and market yourself - is to stop being a marketer and start being a human being. Use Twitter like social media - be social!

Add Life to your Twitter Profile with Images - You can add a Twitter avatar, background and header image with the newest updates on Twitter.

Do Not Use TrueTwit Validation or Other Automatic Services for Followers

TrueTwit is a service which will verify that someone who has followed you on Twitter is able to respond to an automated verification on the TrueTwit site. It's a form of spam. TrueTwit just wants to bring people to their site to view their ads, they make money that way. So, that's why the service exists.

Why have a bot check to see if someone who follows you is a bot? To me it just means you don't want to bother looking at my Twitter account to see if I'm someone you want to follow. So, why would I follow you? I ignore all posts from anything automated AND I often unfollow whoever sent anything automated.

When I find someone interesting enough that I choose to follow them on Twitter - I feel it is very arrogant for them to put me through an automated validation process OR to send me automated messages thanking me for following them and offering me their latest ebook, etc. Automated spam is never a good thing.

Why does it matter if the person following you is a bot? You can't remove them from your followers. Your option is to follow them back, or not. So, actually look at their account and decide if you want to, or not. Don't let a bot send them an automated message which will give most Twitter users the wrong kind of message about you.

It is social media, remember? Not hermit media, not robot media, not I-don't-care-who-you-are media. If you use TrueTwit you are causing people to unfollow you or ignore you, which is pretty much the same thing.

Unwritten Rule of Twitter Following - Someone decided that you should have more followers than people you are following. The Writer's Guide to Twitter by @inkyelbows - Just add the right #hashtag and join in on the scheduled day and time. Twitter Chats For Writers Directory - via @inkyelbows Writers' Guide To Twitter Chats. Tips, schedule, and resources for writers on Twitter.

Writers Like Twitter

I've seen so many people use Twitter as a writing exercise. What story can you tell (start, middle and ending) with just 140 characters (spaces count)?

The Roku 3 comes in a red box with all the instructions and extras which I needed. Set up was quick and easy. Signing up for NetFlix took more time than setting up the Roku hardware.

I love the Roku Internet streaming media player which I bought last year from Amazon. It was delivered quickly, packaged up nice and I got it working right away. Within an hour of unpacking it I was signed and up and using Netflix.

Although there are other options (more than Netflix) I haven't been using many of them. At first I did explore other channels, new channels and niche channels but even in Canada (there are more channels available in the US) I get all the television I want through Roku and Netflix.

Roku Beyond Netflix

There are loads of channels for movies, TV shows, games and music.

My favourite channel other than Netflix is Crackle. If you don't want to spend money on anything beyond the Roku box then start with Crackle because you can watch for free. Plus, I have found it to be the most dependable channel with the most variety of all the free channels. You can't say you get what you pay for with Crackle because it is exceptional and costs nothing.

Acorn TV looks great. I didn't sign up yet but I have it on my list. This channel is not free but it is low cost per month, like Netflix. If you love TV shows and movies from the UK this may become your favourite channel.

Below I will give links for finding more channels available with Roku. Getting channels does depend on your location. I hope we get more channels in Canada soon. I'd like to see more of our Canadian TV channels become part of the Internet TV forum. As the cost of cable TV continues to rise I think more people will decide it is not worth keeping both the Internet service and the cable TV too. With the Roku box you can eliminate approximately $100 from your monthly bill (here in Ontario). Instead I paid a one time amount of $100 for the box and then I pay $8 per month for Netflix. That is a huge difference in cost and very hard to ignore a savings that big.

Think about the last time you watched cable television. What did you actually watch?

I don't mean all the time you leave it on in the background or just leave it on because you wanted to watch something and finally settled on some show or other but didn't really care about it. Test yourself during commercials. Can you always remember what you are currently watching before the commercials end? If not, why are you sitting there giving your time away?

The biggest difference I noticed with using Roku is that I actually am watching TV again.

I'm not putting it on as background noise. I'm not watching some show I don't really care about. I'm not channel flipping and settling for something mediocre. When I watch TV now I pick something I really do want to see. Often it is a TV series I wanted to watch but didn't catch all the episodes or lost track of and then it was cancelled and unavailable to see. I find movies I would have loved to see but did not have time (or want to spend all that money for admission and junk food) at the time. It's great.

Plus, there are no commercials. I have lost weight!

I have lost 15 pounds since getting the Roku box. I still have more to lose and I'm working on living healthier and exercising but... without all those commercials advertising food I have not been tempted to snack and buy junk food. I don't get up during commercials to check the fridge. I don't see juicy burgers and chips with dip and all the rest of that stuff - unless I made them for myself. It is SO nice not to have the temptation of food from TV ads. I never would have thought of this as a side effect of dumping cable TV.

The Roku Stick plugs right into the USB port on your computer. The only thing you need to keep track of is the remote controller itself.

An older or refurbished Roku player is about half the cost of the new Roku 3 model. This is a good option if you want to try it out, see how easy it is for you to set up and use.

Roku is a growing company - developing new technology world wide (not just US focused) for people who are not satisfied with cable television.

You can get more versions and gadgets for Roku Players. The new stick player is out now. Older or refurbished Roku players will be cheaper for those who want to test drive it for awhile before spending more.

Pixel art is an image drawn pixel-by-pixel using a limited color palette and usually primitive/ retro computer graphics tools. Microsoft Paint, a bitmap graphics editor, was a popular software for creating 2D sprites and pixel art.

Pixel art was used for 2D games. It's retro now. 3D games took over and there weren't many 2D games around any more. MapleStory is one which still uses pixel art. Computer icons and those tiny smiley graphics are also still created using pixel art.

Like ASCII art, pixel art is coming back into usefulness now that there are small applications (for mobile phones, etc.) which need simple art files and illustrations.

I've begun making pixel art. Mine is the size of icons. I've used some of my pixel art as favicons for my sites. It's interesting to work with pixels. You need a fairly steady hand, or the patience to go back over your work and remove tiny extra lines and pixels one by one. Most of the graphics software make it easy to fill in your colour. To make the more detailed art you need to pay attention to shadowing and light. Just as photographers and other graphic artists do.

Pixel art used for icons is much simpler. It's flat. You can use two basic colours, one for the outline to give it shape inside the basic outline and the other just to give it colour rather than leaving it black and white.

I'd like to do the more detailed pixel art. I've been working my way up to it. I'm not ready to share my early creations, they are a bit discouraging while I figure out the process and how to make the light and shadows work to give my graphics depth rather than just looking odd and warped.

My Pixel Art Avatars in Real Size and Enlarged