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Google+ Offering Custom URLs for Selected Accounts

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Of the many things Google released today, Google+ custom – or vanity – URLs are available to those who meet the criteria. So instead of using https://plus.google.com/000000001212120000000000 (okay, I exaggerated), you can now use URLs like the one we received today. https://plus.google.com/+Geekgirlcamp. And what’s really nice is that all you have to do for other links is have /posts, /photos, etc. on the end. SO much easier!

If your profile meets the following criteria, Google+ will let you claim a custom URL:

  • Has a profile photo, and.
  • Has at least 10 followers, and.
  • Has an account that’s at least 30 days old.

If you meet the above criteria, you’ll see a notification at the top of your Google+ page or Profile.

So how do you get your custom URL through Google+?

  1. Click Get a custom URL button to get started. Alternatively, from the “About” tab on your Profile, click the “Get” link located under your Google+ URL.
  2. You’ll see the URL(s) you’ve been approved for. If you see more than one option, select the one you like best. You may also be asked to add a few numbers or letters to make the custom URL unique to you.
  3. Check the box to agree to the Terms of Service.
  4. Click Change URL.
  5. They may ask you to verify your account by your mobile phone number. If you need to do this, you’ll see a box pop up asking you to do so.
    a. Enter your mobile phone number.
    b. Check the box to make it easier for people who have your phone number to find you on Google services.
    c. Check your phone for the code that was sent to you.
    d. Enter that code in the box.
    e. Click Verify.
  6. Once approved, this URL will be linked to your Google+ page or Profile, so be sure everything is exactly the way you want it. Once your URL has been approved, you can’t request to change it. When you’re certain, click Confirm.

Voila! Your custom URL should be good to go in no time.

Happy Googling!

Social Media Spec Guide Dimensions for Content Designers

Every so often we update an infographic with the latest image dimensions for your Social Media sites. Here is the latest one on record we have. Which will probably change again in 6 months. But, at least for now, you will know all the size dimensions for Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn and YouTube. Enjoy!
Many thanks to the kind people over at Radious for updating this one for everyone.

 

Social-Media-Dimensions

Google Awards Ada Lovelace the World’s First Computer Programmer with a Doodle

Anyone notice the Google doodle for Ada Lovelace today? If you aren’t aware of Ada Lovelace, she is credited with being the first computer programmer. Not to mention the first female programmer. ‘The Enchantress of Numbers’, as Ada was called, partnered with Charles Babbage, know as the ‘Father of the Computer’ to create  applications for his modern computer. Many people feel as though if she had not such a celebrity father – Lord Byron – she might have slipped into oblivion. Babbage created the Analytical Engine, but history proves Ada Lovelace was able to understand it and devise its uses and applications for a super calculator. Thus earning her the right as ‘The Word’s First Computer Programmer’.

If you love Ada as much as we do, check out our tshirts: ‘Ada Lovelace – the Original Geek Girl’. Only $25!

The Ultimate Complete Final Social Media Sizing Cheat Sheet [INFOGRAPHIC]

This is the Social Media Sizing Cheat Sheet to replace all others. Well, until social network decide to change their image allowances. BUT – this is a huge resource for any of you social media marketeers and designers.

It’s awfully nice to have a central place for image resizing, whether you need it fo Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Google+. A real lifesaver so you don’t have to go through embedded searches just to create an image.

Many thanks to the folks at LunaMetrics for this infographic, and thanks to Susan Beebee for posting it. Yipppeee!

Introducing: Social Media Saturdays!

Do you get a migraine just looking at all these Social Media options here?

Of course you do, right?

Because Social Media has become more intrusive in our every day lives and more information than ever is bombarding you from all sides.

We know you need help, and we can help.

 

So ask yourself this:

  • Are you in need of some accelerated learning in Social Media for your business?
  • Is this chart above overwhelming and you want to just cut through it all and use Social Media without stressing out?
    Is Saturday the perfect day for you from your busy week?
  • Do you crave learning new things to put to action immediately for better engagement, more followers/fans, and more visibility for your business?

Then you need to come to this accelerated learning seminar:

5 WORKSHOPS – 1 DAY – 100% KNOWLEDGE AND FUN

Facebook – Twitter – Pinterest – LinkedIn – Google+ – Instagram – HootSuite – TweetDeck – foursquare – Yelp – YouTube and more

One-on-One help and lunch included. 9-3pm.
First come – first serve: limited to 25 people.

Check out our schedule HERE !

Any questions? We got answers! Call or email us

 

Introducing…Maura Longueil: Photographer Extraordinaire and Galley Wench

Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Maura Longueil and I’m a compulsively over-committed mother of three. For fun, I hoard large quantities of chocolate and gather lots of smart and crafty people around me in an effort to encourage and foster everyone’s creative spirit. In a fit of shameless self promotion, I will confess that I sell these crafty products for profit at my boutique/studio in Hanover called the {Sassy Boutique} at Abbey Knoll Photography.

And when I have a spare moment, I photograph babies, families, seniors, weddings, and a few businesses.

 

What will you be teaching at the Geek Girl Tech Conference this year?

I’ll be taking professional headshots for participants ensuring that you all look ten years younger and as thin as you were in high school (back when you thought you were fat).

I’ll also be hosting a very fun photobooth when you arrive, so practice your fish face and cartwheels.

And teaching one Google Picasa workshop so everyone can get their act together with organizing their pictures.

 

What was your favorite part of the conference last year?

Spooning Leslie Fishlock.

 

PC or Mac?

Love/hate relationship. Love my Mac, hate the pretentious non geek girl types at the genius bar.

 

When did you first know you were geeky?

When I was in 5th grade, I wrote lines of code that would make a Christmas tree made of x’s with a blinking star on top. I also wore two ponytails, pink wide whale courduroys and an argyle sweater.

 

Star Wars or Star Trek?

Star Trek because my mom once made me a counselor Troy costume for Halloween and by roommate bought me a chest communicator. Thanks Lars!

 

Choose 5 people from any moment of time to have dinner and drinks with. Who would they be and why?

The entire cast of MacGyver, second season.

 

Who do feel has had the most impact on technology in your time?

Steve Jobs.

 

Facebook or Twitter?

The Facebook time suck.

 

Tell us something about you nobody knows….

I spent a summer working as a cook in a galley of a tug boat which pulled a barge carrying top secret submarine parts between Boston and Virginia leading to the little known nickname of “galley wench”, affectionately.

Introducing: Laurel Ackerman….Google Girl and Han Solo Admirer

Who are you and what do you do? I’m a marketing geek (among other types of geekiness.)

I help companies connect with their customers in meaningful ways, using data to identify opportunity (or lack thereof.)

What will you be teaching at Geek Girl Conference 2012 this year?

Google Apps! Google continues to release new apps and cool new features in older apps. I’m a big proponent of productivity, and Google Apps rocks in that department.

What was your favorite part of the conference last year?

So hard to say…can I pick two? One: teaching my classes; it was awesome to be helping people and answering real questions. Two: Hearing all of the buzz during and after the event about how much everybody there felt they had learned. It is amazing to be able to share what I learn every day on the job with others. Oh, and a rogue Three: the pink martinis afterward.

PC or Mac?

Both! I love both for different reasons and hop back and forth between them. I use a PC at home and a Mac for work.

When did you first know you were geeky?

Born this way! Actually, it’s when I first started studying marketing and fell in love with the numbers and the processes. It made me realize the potential to work with math and technology to influence people.

Star Wars or Star Trek?

Star Wars. Han Solo is my favorite movie-star boyfriend. Although Jean-Luc Picard ranks right up there (I’m a Next Generation lady.)

Choose 5 people from any moment of time to have dinner and drinks with. Who would they be and why?

Da Vinci: to find out EVERYTHING
Stephen King: Because I can’t even imagine what he dreams about
Tim Berners-Lee: The father of the internet; I couldn’t do have of what I do otherwise
David Bowie: Because he’s awesome.
Han Solo: See above.

 

Who do feel has had the most impact on technology in your time?
There are probably folks who were more instrumental in building the technology behind these things, but I don’t know who they are, so: Steve Jobs: mobile apps really took off with the iPhone and have changed the way people do just about everything. Same thing with Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg; social behavior will never be the same.

Facebook or Twitter?

Facebook for most things. I can’t keep up with Twitter and there’s too much chatter; but it can be useful for connecting with specific people or getting recommendations/asking questions.

Tell us something about you nobody knows….
Some people know this, but it’s very embarrassing for someone who works in technology…the only video games I know how to play are Pac-Man and Tetris, the old school kinds with joysticks. Also, I rely on my kids to run the A/V equipment at home; I am clueless. Hey, we need a Home Tech class!

Introducing: Tricia White…Pinterest Freak and Closet Crochet Addict

Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Tricia White and I am a Senior Business Advisor with the MA Small Business Development Center. We offer free (Yes! FREE) technical business assistance to small businesses in business plan creation, financial projections and analysis, marketing and strategic planning. All of our advisors have specialties within our positions, and mine is branding, marketing and social media. I have a fairly technical background along with an art degree. I do pretty well with Adobe products, blog platforms (WordPress, Blogger, Typepad, Tumblr), Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Foursquare, Pinterest, Google+, Google Tools, SEO and I am Google Adwords Certified. (Whew…that was a mouthful!)

I am also a passionate foodie and have a food blog called Friends Food Family. My husband and I create and re-create recipes from our 100+ cookbooks, magazine articles and hours of watching food videos. I blog for two reasons – 1. My personal brand: I love to cook and bake and what a wonderful way to share this information with others 2. I believe that in order to teach people about social media, you have to be engaged in social media. Ultimately, I’d like to offer advertising opportunities in the future.

 

What will you be teaching at Geek Girl Tech Conference Cape Cod this year?

Mostly Social Media; LinkedIn for Business, Twitter for Business, Facebook for Business, Google+ for your Brand and Pinterest. Plus, I bring really delicious chocolate chip cookies to my classes. Not that I’m bribing you with a great class and delicious treats but I’ll let you decide.

 

What was your favorite part of the conference last year?

I wasn’t there last year, but if I was I’d say…the opportunity to meet an awesome group of people that are interested in learning more about technology for business and personal growth.

Did I answer the question correctly? ;)

 

PC or Mac?

PC, but I am just waiting for my computer to die to move to Mac. I have an iPad and an iPhone, I need the iMac to complete the set!

 

When did you first know you were geeky?

Well, that’s a little personal. I have always looked a little geeky with the freckles, auburn hair (and I’m blond now…what a transformation!) and big glasses. As for the technical side…it’s math, computer programming, designing with grids and enjoying the challenge of working through technical issues. I have always been hands on so this is a very natural environment for me. What’s funny is the clashing of two opposites, the math geek and the artist. I guess you could call me technically creative.

 

Star Wars or Star Trek?

Star Wars…just call me Princess Tricia (I’m Leia’s 1st cousin)

 

Choose 5 people from any moment of time to have dinner and drinks with. Who would they be and why?

1. Jim Henson – I think he was such a creative visionary and I was born on his birthday.
2. Stevie Nicks – I’m a huge music fan and have followed her since the days of Buckingham/Nicks.
3. John Singer Sargent – One of my favorite impressionists.
4. Julia Child – A woman who fought to be recognized as a chef in a man’s world.
5. My great grandmother who was a nurse midwife in the mid to late 1800′s.

 

Who do you feel has had the most impact on technology in your time?

Steve Jobs. I don’t think there is anyone who has been able to create a lasting brand recognition with technology through computers, music and telephones.

 

Facebook or Twitter?

Pinterest, because it’s creative and new!

 

Tell us something about you nobody knows….

I have been crocheting since I was 6 years old. I’m one of those people that can look at a print or design and just copy it. I’ll wear my scarf and mittens to Geek Girl.

I’m such a GEEK.

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