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December 15, 2009

Is Your CEO/Director/ Manager Getting With The Program?


I was reading Jeff's Blog August's entry on how to get the CEO to buy into social media, and I feel to this date, many CEOs and executive directors still doubt the benefits and power of social media to engage customers and per see increase the bottom line. Moreover, realizing the benefits of targeting segments like generation X and Y and beyond. This is your chance to check it out again and convince your CEO, director, or manager to get with the program:

9 Ways To Convince The CEO To Use Social Media

Also, I want to mention the findings of a recent Harvard survey conducted by the Society for New Communication Research tittled, "30 Key Findings On How The CEO Engages With Social Media" surveyed CEOs, directors and managers(Those who are listening) utilizing social media as part of their strategic communication inside and outside of the organization.

Among the key findings, one of them I can attest to being very true from my own experience working with clients in the realm of social media; the three main social media applications most widely used by people and organizations are: Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter.

November 27, 2009

Infinite Social Media Benefits For Small Businesses



Here is some great and important information about the tangible benefits social media offers many small businesses out there. Savvy businesses ranging from big to small size already realize how to turn the power of social media into real sales.

Here are some stats cited from JeffBullas’s Blog- one of our favorite bloggers:

1. 300,000 businesses have a presence on Facebook
2. Gary Vaynerchuk grew his family wine business from $4 Million to $50 Million using Social Media
3. He found $15,000 in direct mail generated 200 new customers
4. $7,500 Billboard provided 300 new customers
5. $0 on Twitter produced 1,800 new customers (well.. someone had to spend some time “Twittering” it’s not exactly $0, because time costs but hey.. it wasn’t much in dollar terms)
6. Wetpaint/Altimeter found companies widely engaged in social media surpass their peers in both revenues and profits (Companies with highest levels of social media plus18% in sales, Company sales with least social media activity minus 6 %
7. Lenovo saw 20% reductions in call centre activity as customers go to a community (Social Media) website
8. Burger King’s ”Facebook Application investment of $50,000 received greater than $400,000 in PR media value (32 Million free media impressions, that's like reaching the combined populations of 19 States of the USA
9. Blendtec increased sales by 400% with “Will It Blend” YouTube videos
10. Dell sold $3,000,000 of computers on Twitter
11. Only 18% of traditional TV campaigns generate a positive ROI
12. “You can’t just say it. You have to get the people to say it to each other” – James Farley Chief Marketing Officer - Ford
13. 37% of Generation Y were aware of the the Ford Fiesta via social media before its launch in the USA
14. 25% of Fords marketing spend is on Digital/Social Media
15. They are the only US Auto company not to take a government loan
16. Naked Pizza set a one day sales record using social media (68% of sales from Twitter and 85% of new customers from Twitter)
17. VW goes 100% mobile for launch of GTI
18. “Social Media is not only for B2C”
19. Intuit introduced “Live Community” into their Turbo Tax products 2 years ago – Unit sales up +30% each year
20. Software company Genius.com reports 24% of social media leads convert to sales
21. Barak Obama – 5 million fans on Social Media – 5.4 million clicked on a “I voted for Obama Facebook Button” – 3 million online donors equals $500 million – 92% of donations were in increments of less than $100
22. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre saw a 9.5% increase in registrations using social media
23. Web Host Provider “Moonfruit” with a $15,000 social media investment saw their website traffic increase 300% and sales 20% as well as being on Google’s first page for “free website builder”
24. eBay found participants in online communities spend 54% more $’s
25. Customer support cost is $12 via the contact center vs 25 cents via self-service
26. “Why are we trying to measure Social media like a traditional channel anyway? Social Media touches every facet of business and is more an extension of good business ethics” – Anonymous
27. ”You can’t buy attention anymore. Having a huge budget doesn’t mean anything in Social Media… the old paradigm was “Pay to Play”. Now you get back what you authentically put in. You have to be willing to “Play to Play” – Alex Bogusky, Co-Chairman, CP& B
28. @llonlineblogera “ When I’m asked about the ROI of Social Media sometimes an appropriate response is … what’s the ROI of your phone?”
29. 71% plan to increase investments in Social media by an average of 40% because: You get “Low Cost Marketing” and “Get Traction” and we have to do it!

The Cost of doing nothing is greater than the cost of doing something. If you are not sure how to get started with social media, that's OK. We are here to help you. Take the first step and visit our site to understand more about social media. And then fill out the form and contact us for a free consultation.

What are you waiting for? The power of social media is here to help you.

Visit us today for a free consultation:
LLOnlineBlogera.com

Become a fan on our Facebook Page:



November 26, 2009

Efren Penaflorida CNN Hero of 2009

Thank you to all who voted for Jorge, An Angel In Queens. I wish he would have won the contest but I'm still very happy for Efren Penaflorida's win. Like he said in accepting this award: "Every person has a hidden hero within.. just search it in your heart" beautiful words from a true hero.

Congratulations Efren Penaflorida!

Watch tonight's CNN's Hero Of The Year Especial at 9pm ET.

November 08, 2009

Latina on A Mission: Giving Stuff Away


My friend at @MsLatina is giving away some cool stuff. Check out her website below for more details to see how you can win:

October 31, 2009

Spooky Halloween 2009

Happy Halloween 2009!

October 28, 2009

Latino Lobby Wants Lou Dobbs Off The Air


Editor's Note: Odette Keeley, news anchor for "Stories From The Ethnic Media" on NAM's radio program, "New America Now" on 91.7 FM KALW, talks to ethnic media professionals about their outlets' news headlines and their take on the news of the day.

This Week on "Stories From the Ethnic Media": A Latino lobby wants CNN Anchor Lour Dobbs off air, and African-Caribbean deportees are punished twice.



October 09, 2009

President Obama On Winning the Nobel Peace Prize

Here's another acronym that is recently been surging in pop culture for our Commander in Chief: OBAMA = "Outstanding Best American Man in Action!"

Hooray for our President! Que viva Obama!

October 03, 2009

Vote For An Angel in Queens To Be CNN's Hero Of The Year




I found out today that Jorge, Founder of An Angel in Queens, has made it to the top 10 finalists on CNN's hero of the year contest.

Let's help bring Jorge and his mission home by voting for an Angel in Queens Today!

Vote On CNN's Site Today: CNN Heroes

Visit the official website: An Angel In Queens Website

Become a fan on the Facebook page: An Angel In Queen Fan Page

See The YouTube Video: An Angel In Queens

An Angel In Queens on the New York Times: NYTs Article

Because of people like Jorge and the other finalists, I still believe that despite all odds, we can still improve our overall human condition by helping to improve the lives of others.

Thank you Angel!


September 20, 2009

Paz Sin Fronteras: A Victory For The Cuban People!

I am sure the critics will say whatever they want of this concert after it is over, there are those who never agreed with the making of this concert in the first place, and will never agree because of the Cuban regimen. However, if you saw the concert online just like I did, you would noticed the happiness and rejoice music brought to the souls of the Cuban people. That is the goal and I believed all those who made Paz Sin Fronteras possible: mission accomplished!

Juanes, Olga Tañon, Miguel Bose, Cucu Diamantes, and all those other courageous artists that showed up to play at La Havana, deserve praise and gratitude. Because they did not let fear intimidate them and despite all , they showed and deliver for the Cuban people.

But most important, I believe in Juanes' lyrics conveyed in his popular song, "It's time to change- El Odio por Amor" is a truism that must be recognized all over the world. No matter social class, race, language, ethnic origin, or anything. It is time for all of us to make this world a better place. Just like Gandhi said, "Be the change you want to see in the world."

That change is being made today by the young generation of Cubans and all those around the world. A realization that it is up to us to change the world to something better that we all aspire to live in. According to concert sources, more than a million people showed up to la Plaza de la Revolucion in La Havana to witness these artists. And more than that, they made history for themselves and to demand a better future for themselves from those in power on the island.

This was not Juanes' victory for pulling this out in the face of all controversy, nor the artists that showed up and broadcasted their music to the Cubans and the world, this was a victory for the Cuban people for being present and showing the world that they too can make history. This was the Cuban people's victory!

Que viva Cuba libre!!!

September 19, 2009

To the Rhythm of Ozomatli

Ozomatli entertaining at the CHCI Gala 2009

President Obama Final Remarks

Final remarks by the President at the CHCI Gala 2009

President Obama Marks the Beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month @ CHCI Gala 2009

President Obama addressing the crowd at the CHCI Gala 2009 and marking the beginning of Hispanic Heritage month in his Administration

President Obama Appearing on Stage CHCI Gala 2009

President Obama and First Lady at the CHCI Gala 2009

Soledad O'Brien CHCI Award Recipient

Soledad O'Brien is an American television journalist, currently the host of CNN Special Investigations Unit on CNN, and is best known for anchoring the CNN marquee morning newscast American Morning

Leguizamo Doing Roll Call @ CHCI Gala 2009

Comedian, actor, voice actor and producer. John Leguizamo did Roll Call at the CHCI Gala 2009

John Leguizamo Roll Call Introduction CHCI Gala 2009

A Colombian-American comedian, actor, voice actor and producer. John Leguizamo did Roll Call at the CHCI Gala 2009

CHCI Fellows Introduced @ CHCI Gala 2009

CHCI 2009 Public Policy Fellows

MC Maria Hinojosa CHCI Gala 2009

Award Winning Journalist and Author, Maria Hinojosa was the MC for the evening @ CHCI's Gala 2009

September 15, 2009

Latinos Leading on the Economy and Workforce


Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and I

Top level government officials, nonprofit leaders, and corporate executives gather in DC during the CHCI Policy conference to discuss the economic impact of recession on the Latino community.

Moderator: Maria Contreras-Sweet, Chairwoman of the Board, PROMERICA BANK.Panelists: Hon. Shaun Donovan, Sec. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development. Dr. Raul Hinojosa-Ojeda, Associate Prof. UCLA Alan B. Krueger, Assistant Sec. for Economic Policy and Chief Economist, Dept. of Treasury. Hon. Loretta Sanchez(CA-47)Hon. Hilda Solis, Sec. of Department of Labor and the Hon. Gregorio Sablan (NMI)

If you want to see more pictures of today's conference, visit my FB fan page:

September 14, 2009

CHCI CareerLider Ribbon Cutting Event @ Washington DC Convention Center


CareerLider Ribbon Cutting ; CHC Chair (Rep. Nydia Velazquez-D-NY), CHCI Exec. Dir., Esther Aguilera, CHCI Fellows, and sponsors celebrate this great event for the Latino community.



CHCI Fellows 2009-2010.



CHCI Graduate Fellow, Jorge Madrid trying
out a Health-based software from Best Buy


The New CareerLider & Networking Cafe
sponsored by Walmart


CHC Chairwoman, Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY)



September 13, 2009

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Policy Conference


I’ll be covering this year’s Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) conference live from Washington DC’s convention center— Monday through Wednesday. POTUS has confirmed to attend and speak at the Gala on Wednesday night.

I’ll be posting on the following blog/site and on twitter for you to follow:


Latinos y Latinas Online Blogera.com


LLOnlineBlogera Facebook Fan page


Twitter: LLOnlineblogera (Follow me)


To give you some insight about my bias for this great organization; I was a public policy fellow on the Hill through CHCI back in 2007. Thanks to them, I learned a lot about the legislative process at the federal level. They do a great job developing the next generation of Latino leadership in government affairs through their internship and fellowship programs. If you are interested learning more about CHCI’s mission and their programs for Latino/as, check out their website: Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute


Stay Tuned!

September 10, 2009

Social Media Revolution

Simply amazing!

Social Media Revolution: Do You Have A Strategy?


Today, I had a wonderful opportunity to mingle with some of New England’s best entrepreneurial minds from different industries: real estate, IT, and green technologies to the latest fast rising field of social media (My business specialty). This superb conference was hosted by the RI Economic Development Corporation in Providence, which happens to have as part of their professional staff, a great talented and professional Latina by the name of Claudia Cardozo. I want to thank Claudia for having invited me to this great conference.


As you may have experienced by being surrounded with people who twitter and post frequently through any of the social network sites, in the past two years, the field of social media technology has revolutionized the way we live and work! See my next blog post video, Social Media Revolution, so you can understand better the immensity and potential benefits social media represents in today’s economy.


My professional background covers over 5 years in technology consulting experience to small and nonprofit organizations, having attained both of my degrees in information technology and attended Carnegie Mellon University. However, I have realized how much more potential social media represents to all organizations out there today— no matter whether you have five people on staff or over a thousand— the benefits you can obtain through utilizing social media in advertising and public relations to grow your business/organization are infinite. I can show you how to utilize such technologies to optimize their potential benefits on your organization since I have done it myself.


In the past year, I have submerge myself profoundly in this field and received formal training through RI’s Economic Development Corporation, in addition to my own personal experience running my own blogs, multiple social media sites, and networking with other experts in social media throughout the country. I invite you visit my new business called, LLOnline Blogera, LLC. And become a fan on my Facebook page:


http://www.facebook.com/pages/LLOnline-Blogera-LLC/129713743674


Please contact me at latinosylatinasonlineblogera@gmail.com for any organizational or personal needs you may be facing to utilize social media as part of you strategic business plan. I will provide you a free consultation visit to assess your needs and provide solutions to meet your goals.

September 07, 2009

The New American Politician


Courtesy pics from Emanuel Pleitez and Tony Woods for Congress

Although Tony came up short this time in his congressional district race, like him, many other young non-white Americans are running for public office even before reaching their 30th birthday. As young brilliant leaders, they are taking up the chance to run for public office in their districts based on the obvious and clear reality of today’s American political condition.

Another example earlier this year was a young prospective running to replace former Rep. Hilda Solis (Now Secretary of Labor) for office in California's 32nd district, Emanuel Pleitez. He also came up short, but now enjoys name recognition and thus a better possibility to win a future election.

It is inevitable to expect that there many others like Tony and Emmanuel all over America, soon following in the same footsteps to run for public office in districts throughout the land; a new generation of Americans is now responding to today’s immense challenges presented to us. Tony and Emanuel represent such role models of new American leadership for others who aspire to do the same in their cities and towns across America. I am sure they will win an elected public office in their districts sooner than later— it is just a matter of time.


August 31, 2009

Twitter Success: What Is It??


Hay Dios Mio! So what’s the key to being a successful Twitter? According to Kutcher, it may be:

How you move the fish?

How you work the tool?

Is it about ALL CAPS?

Is it about “…”?

Is it connecting with people, real people?

So what is it?? What works for you??

More important, do you know what's gonna be after Twitter? I think it's going to be virtual with no hands on...


Courtesy of Lopez Tonight.com

August 26, 2009

A Heroe Has Departed Us



Senator Ted Kennedy, died at age 77, after a long fight with brain cancer. The senator had been in his home state over a year, after being diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor in May 2008.


Bigger than life, He is the last of the three giant musketeers of the Kennedy political dynasty to depart us. "Teddy" as known by his colleagues, friends, and the media was probably one of the most influential American liberal politicians to define the American political spectrum in the second half of the 20th century.


A champion of the voiceless, minorities, and the working class— Senator Kennedy was a friend and a Champion of the Latino community. Many within the political Latino leadership mourn his death today; as if he was another one of us.


Adiós Senador y Que Dios lo Recompense Por Todo Lo Que Hizo.

August 25, 2009

Ben Bernanke Keeps His Job

Although I heard from las malas lenguas that he's going to get lots of heat over his confirmation process, in the end he'll still get confirmed. I mean, this Chairman never thought in his wildest dreams he was going to have to preside over the worst economic mess in this country since the great depression.

Well... I'm glad to see at least one person gets to keep his job in America.




August 24, 2009

The Age of Stupid - trailer

This film will be in U.S. theaters in September. Do you think climate change is a reality, or do you think it is simply being blown out of proportion by environmentalists?

How do you call it: Climate Change or Global Warming?

BlogTalkRadio Share Show Widget

August 22, 2009

August 21, 2009

No más dinero por su carcacha

Well as you heard, you can't turn in your "Carcacha"(Piece of Junk) after next Monday night. So hurry up and get your Carcacha to a dealership before you are stuck with it. These kinds of bargains don’t come around often so act fast.

To see how much it is worth it under the Cash for Clunkers program, learn more about it by visiting the official site: http://www.cars.gov/



Courtesy of HITNT Television

August 19, 2009

Dominican Woman to Challenge NY Mayor Bloomberg


I just read that a young Dominican girl is going to Challenge billionaire Bloomberg for the NYC Mayor's seat.

I say go get him!

A Tough Dominican Woman is Challenging NY Mayor Bloomberg

Lining Up For Free Healthcare


Courtesy of Tavis Smiley Show via PBS
Lining Up for Free Healthcare
by Tamika Thompson



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August 17, 2009

Latino or Hispanic - A Note on Terminology



Marid Gonzalez
Bilingual Market Consultant

Last year, I wrote a paper on the meaning of each term according to the people being categorized. Aside from the literature review, I interviewed eight self-identified Latinos or Hispanics and this were my findings.

There is no current agreement on which of the two official terms “Latino” or “Hispanic” is more accurate. Researchers (Oboler, 1995; Davila, 2001) indicate that either label “Hispanic” and “Latino” lump together and inaccurately define a group of people that span several generations, nationalities, and socioeconomics and that “both terms are equally guilty of erasing differences while encompassing highly heterogeneous populations” (Davila, 2001). For purposes of inclusion and based on the differences in meaning of each label among the people being categorized, I have chosen to use both labels and place them in that order for easy reading but the order is not to be read as a preference.

Since its inception by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget in 1977, the term Hispanic has been both controversial and accepted by different circles to categorize people with ancestry in Spain and Spanish-speaking countries of the Western hemisphere. Some argue that choosing one label over the other is a matter of assimilation while others choose a label to state pride of having developed an agreeable ethnic identity. Several authors (Martin, 2005; Acuña, 2000; Gonzales, 1999; Rodriguez, 2007) acknowledge the political implications behind the choice of a specific label. Martin (2005) in particular proposes to analyze the term Latino in the context of “reinterpretation” of an existing name that has sprung from political movements dating back to the 1960’s (p. 397). Other researchers (Korzenny & Korzenny, 2005; Rodriguez, 2007; Davila, 2001) recognize a different and significant dynamic - the capitalizing of the consumer power through the use of the label Hispanic which is representative of a common linguistic indicator.

The term Hispanic is inaccurate because it is not perceived by the receivers as representative of their “broader culture” and because it implies that “all” Latino/Hispanic speak Spanish. The term Hispanic does however speak of the Spanish colonization from which the Spanish language was instituted. Yet, not all people who live in Latin America speak Spanish. However, the term Hispanic is seen as convenient through the use of census data to make the case for the allocation of funds that support language-based social service programs and for marketers and advertisers to sell Spanish media programs by arguing that if not all, the majority of Hispanics prefer to speak Spanish.

Individuals who are more aware of the labels’ socio-politics argue that neither the term Hispanic nor Latino applies to them because they want to distance themselves from the negative stereotypes more commonly attached to Mexican immigrants and people of Mexican descent who have dealt with a second colonization by historically being categorized as second-class group since the time their first-class citizenship rights were stripped off them in the nineteen century when the U.S. west border moved further south.

Californians in contrast to New Mexicans prefer using the term Latino(a) when given the choice between Latino(a) and Hispanic. For Californians, Latino is the new Chicano in that it evokes their indigenous roots, a shared history of struggle and the colonization of the people in Latin American countries. Latino as a term is self-appropriated; it comes from the people which might have been the legacy from the Chicano movement. It is not surprising that Latinos in California are more aware of the political connotation of the term Latino because "Chicano studies departments are at public universities in the Southwestern United States, particularly in California” (Wikipedia, Chicano studies, 1).



Notes from the Field- Making a Difference in the Latino Community

As I sat and listened to several Central Valley, CA, Latino teens tell me about their future ambitions and life dreams, I was struck by how determined to succeed these kids were. Despite living in communities threatened by drug and gang activity, low income and high unemployment levels, each was looking forward to graduating from high school, attending college and having a promising career.

Tu Salud, Check it out...

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Public Option At Peril


It seems like the administration may yield to the pressures and lies flooding the public sphere by the powerful especial interest groups opposing the public option.

Based on the following New York Time’s piece published yesterday, The Public Option’ in Health Plan May be Dropped, the public option is at peril of being dropped, or substituted by another type, dub as “The Co op” in order to get support from the GOP and fiscal conservative democrats.


As you may know, health disparities exist immensely in America despite we spend the most within the developed world: disproportionately minorities are hit the hardest. A public option would significantly alleviate the lack of quality healthcare coverage for many of us. Thus, something equivalent to that extent must be passed in order to fix this injustice. However, the especial interest groups want to keep people in this mundane and immoral situation based on the status quo.


What is troublesome is that the fear mongering among the population is vigorous and poisonous coming from those protecting major special interest groups (HMOs and pharmaceutical companies). Rumors out there say the Administration has worked out a deal with the latter opposition(Pharmaceutical) to support healthcare reform, but we still don’t know what was negotiated. We will find out eventually sooner than later once the pharmaceutical-sponsored ads start hitting the air waves through their ad hoc made up nonprofits.


Traditional groups fighting vigorously for real reform, that is including a public option, are those from the labor sector and civil right groups whom represent the working class. But the fight is hard! We all heard from day one that the opposition will vow to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to thwart any reform against their interests— it seems like they are succeeding.


In any power struggle fight such as the one taking place today in America, shows that the status quo will never render any bit of power. It makes one wonder today, where is the voice of millions of Americans whom are uninsured or underinsured?? Their voice is being drowned by fear mongers who are about to hand down a reform that does not stand up on American principles and quality healthcare for ALL. Speak UP!

Reaching Liberty

The following is an auto-biographical story I wrote a long time ago while taking my first writing class. Since is based on the inspiration The statue of Liberty gave me to migrate north, I thought it would be appropriate to post it now that the statue will reopen to the public this coming 4th of July for the first time since Sept 11th, 2001
Katty Avila.



I remember telling my mother “One day I’ll make it there and I’ll climb the very top of her crown” Her response to my little, almost ridiculous ambition was “Dream on dear, dream on.”

This was the night my mother and I watched the Statue of Liberty’s centennial anniversary, viewing it through our 13" black and white television. This TV set was the window to the outside world; I could feel the excitement of the celebration right then and there.

For my mother, as for many people back in my country, the celebration was just a very regular event, just another international broadcast in one of the local channels. It’s amazing what the air waves did to my imagination the night Lady Liberty turned 100. Watching the roller skaters (blades were not a hot item yet), fireworks, with not much color to them from my perspective. The whole spectacle made me think of how much the people involved in this event must have invested to make it look so organized.

I watched in astonishment.

Despite her discouragement I never stopped believing that one day I would actually make it. I could, however understand why my mother did not share the same vision that I had that night about coming to the US.

Like most of her relatives, my mother had a very special bond with her parents, who were born, lived and died in a remote, small town in Venezuela. For them to live somewhere else was inconceivable. Sometimes I got the feeling that they thought of me as a traitor for wanting to leave my country for another one.

Back then was not the United States but actually making to the top of the Statue of Liberty. I had a certain fixation for Lady Liberty.
To me, making it there was reaching the top of the world.

My mother and I lived in a low middle class society in Caracas. If you weren’t too demanding you could considered it comfortable. We made enough money to buy our essentials every week. Since public schools required students to wear uniforms, my mother never had to worry about keeping me in style every season. I did not have to deal with not being accepted or about looking better than my schoolmates. Although high school was a mix of different social classes, you could clearly recognize the high class kids. In under developed countries the children of the powerful will let you know how important they are to themselves.

Despite our economic circumstances, that idea of reaching the top of the world never left me alone. I had this vision that told me I was going to make it there no matter what.

Other than my mother, I never shared my little fantasy with anyone, it was something very personal and I felt way too selfish to share it with any of my friends. I felt they would never have understood what it truly meant to me, although sometimes I got the impression that for some of them it was also the unreachable goal.

North American pop music ruled the air waves and music videos were the new sensation. All of us looked up to those talented artists like Cindy Lauper, Madonna, Michael Jackson. For my friends, it was something more transitory. Thriller was a hit. I, along with all my friends would work on its choreography, wishing we were all part of that amazing production. Everyone returned to their own little world while I stayed submerged in my own fantasy, never mentioned it to anybody. I was afraid of somebody ruining my illusion or maybe I was afraid of being considered a lunatic.

Four years later, during school vacation, at the age of 16; I got my first summer job in a clothing factory where my mother worked. There I met a North American man who did not speak Spanish. I initiated a broken English conversation that he found to be quite amusing. To be honest, one of the reasons I started working there was because I knew my mother’s boss had an American son-in-law. I was so eager to exchange a few English words with him. I had never had any connection with an American citizen up to this point. I learned his wife was very sick. They needed somebody to help them with the care of their three daughters. Seeing my interest in the language and in the American culture they hired me as their nanny for a couple of months, the amount of time they were going to spend there.

By the end of those two months the girls and I had created a great bond. A few weeks before their trip back to the States they would constantly ask their parents to “please bring Katty with us”.

I found it inconceivable the first time they asked me if I would like to come to the United States. I was thinking ‘please don’t let me wake up’. My mother would not accept the idea of me her only child being so far away. I was unrelentingly persistent, me the one who never had left my mother’s side. My grandparents at the time said to her “Let her go, you’ll see, she won’t last that long out there on her own. She’ll be back before you know it”. They spoke from experience, as a small child every time we went to visit them up to the age of 11, I had a fear she was bringing me there to leave me and never come back. I would cling to her refusing to let her go. My poor grandparents must have thought I hated them.

My mom knew this time this was not going to be the case. She knew this was what I had carried inside for so long, and though it was not easy for her, she then realized she had to let go. The dream to go north had come true, and the first thing that went through my mind was ‘here I come Lady Liberty!’

A year and half later after living in Boston, I met an Au pair, another nanny from Denmark. Her parents, in one of their trips to the States asked her to bring a friend along to their next visit to New York City. I was the lucky one.

I had the opportunity to tour New York with a Danish tour guide, who explained the visited sights of the city in their own language, Danish. I was the only South American in the bus and I was driving all of them crazy. I would ask my friend to translate for me what the guide was explaining. The tour took us in a three day expedition through the Big Apple.

There were rumors of canceling the trip to Liberty Island for lack of time. Some of the tourists wanted to stay in the city for their last minute shopping, so the big debate started: “to go or not to go”, that was the question.

At this point I had not mentioned 'my greatest ambition', I didn’t want to be pushy, after all I had been invited to this trip. I was not paying for anything. Yet I had this great anxiety of screaming at these people what this meant to me. Sure I could go some other time, on my own, but the disappointment at that moment was devastating.

On our last day, Tuesday morning, my friend and I woke up to an early phone call in our hotel suite. My friend’s parents were calling to say we were going to Ellis island and to the Statue of Liberty. ‘Oh Say, Can You Seeee!” my mind was singing. I thought I would never make it there.

When we arrived at Battery park I immediately recognized the lane where I had seen Madonna take her famous walk by the water in the video “Papa Don’t Preach” it was not real. I was overwhelmed.

As we approached the Statue, I felt overpowered. I started thinking I could not deserve such a feeling; the realization of my deepest, most desired dream is taking place.

When we finally arrived at the island, the first thing I wanted to do was to run up to her head. I was not aware that a multitude of people were going through the same experience as I was. Thousands of people waiting in line to get to “the top of the world” stopped me.

There were all sorts of warning signs displayed at the base of the statue: “People that suffer from back pain, headaches, digestive problems and pregnant women should not go up”. This all seemed silly to me, but my friend did not think it was funny, she did not want to go up. I decided I would do it on my own.

After two hours and some claustrophobic anxieties later, I got to the crown of Lady Liberty.

My whole childhood came back to that moment in time. “Mom, I made it!” I wish she could have been there to see that moment happen. Even though the time was limited, I tried to live every second. I took as much as I could; I looked through every single window, and there I was. It was glorious!

The trip to Liberty island will live with me for the rest of my life.
I did not tell many of my friends about that silly fantasy, but I do enjoy telling them about how I reached the top of the world.






August 15, 2009

Juanes- No Creo en el Jamás (Live)

The Latino Blogosphere

I have found so many great Latino/a blogs out there and I’d like to share them all with you. However, it’s hard to keep up with so many of them since there are so many all over the place, it can be overwhelming and too much time taking for the regular navigator. Thus, I stumbled upon a great site which can capture all the Latin blogs out there, all interconnected at the reach of your fingertips with one single click— wouldn’t that be sweet? Where you can identify and comment the blogs you like and keep up with the Latin Blogosphere in real time. Well, I’m presenting you the Latino Blogosphere made up of a real community of Latino/as blogging on all sorts of topics of interest in the U.S. Latino community. Real Latino/as blogging their brains out about their experiences.


If you want your blog to be included in the Latino Blogosphere, please email me at latinosylatinasonlineblogera@gmail.com with your blog’s Feed-URL. You need to send your Latino blog feed URL to be able to include your blog and attract audience to your site. Remember; Only RSS 2.O feeds are acceptable. Unfortunately, that's the nature of this technology at this moment. If you have an Atom or other type of feed, you can easily burn your blog URL and select RSS, go to:



https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?service=feedburner&continue=http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/myfeeds



You can find the Latino Blogosphere site here:

http://www.feedbite.com/user/LLOnlineblogera



A New Era!

LLOnline Blogera

August 13, 2009

Latino Blog Review

Pic by Zoebakes.com

I thought I use this time to point out some variety of content from the Latino blogs' perspective out there. Since I started blogging, back in January, I have found all kinds of blogs out there within the Latino blog sphere. Many are worth reading and others not so much (I hope you find ours, at least informative, I try my best to please you and always welcome feedback). Anyway, I thought I share some of them with you, and hope you find them interesting as well. Depending on your line of work, you may even find them useful. There is great variety for everyone to enjoy and choose. Click on the blog title to take you to their site:


Voto Latino: It’s a great blog run out of DC by talented young Latino/as. Their mission is to inform and motivate a new generation of Americans to engage into civic participation. They do this with technology, Latino celebrities, and the Latino youth themselves. The executive director, Maria Teresa Kumar, is a frequent commentator on MSNBC and CNN. She’s one of our blog followers too (But let’s just keep this between us). I recommend it.



The Unapologetic Mexican: It’s probably one of the best political Latino blogs out there known to many within the Latino-activist community. The blogger is a second generation “Xicano” descendant of a Chicano father and a white mother. His content is deep, cutting-edge, and creative. He touches on the reality the vulnerable and oppressed communities in this country. I strongly suggest you follow him if you are into social justice:



Chicanísima: Her name is Teresa Puente and she’s a journalist, writer, and educator blogging from the wind-city. Her content varies from Politics, Latina issues, and news. On her site, she states she founded, “Latina Voices- to promote opinion pieces, essays, and stories, by or about Latina women.” I highly recommend it to young Latinas if you want to explore deeper your voice.



Latino Sexuality: A Nuyorican Hottie blogging from the Bronx about Latino Sexuality. According to her profile, she’s a “Sex, positive feminist educator and Activist,” I like reading her posts once in a while, specially to stay in touch with the Latina view on sexuality.



Bronx Latino: It’s another talented Nuyorican from the Bronx and concentrating more on local (Bronx) issues. She also runs a radio station program, and is very active in her community. I give her props for her commitment to keeping her local community informed. I recommend it if you live in NYC.



Bilingual in the Boonies: A Cuban-American Mom blogging from the Wilderness in Tennessee. She’s funny blogger, trying to project humor and at the same time educate the white culture through her personal experiences about Latino culture. I recommend it, especially if you are a Mom.



Mambisesenaccion: It’s a Cuban-exiled living in Spain, an activist expressing his dissent toward the Castrista regimen (In Spanish). He lives in Spain and keeps up with what’s happening on the island. He must have connections inside. If you’re into Cuba, or are a Cuban-American living in Miami, you might like to follow this blog.



Vivir Latino: Focuses on a variety of issues facing the Latino community in this country, especially from the second to third generation Latino-view. It’s pretty much all over the Latino spectrum (Just like us). It is based out of NYC and run by entrepreneurial ladies; two of them are Mexican-American and a Nuyorican. It’s a good blog to check out for acculturated Latino/as in this country.



If you know of any other good Latino blogs out there, please share those with us so we can add them to our list and share with you. You can holler by leaving a comment below or emailing us at, latinosylatinasonlinebloera@gmail.com

August 12, 2009

El Club de Comerciantes

Here's some great work my friends at El Club de Comerciantes are doing to help entrepreneurial and small Latino businesses around the country. Check it out:

PRESS RELEASES

Facebook:
· Facebook Press Release: Facebook Expands its Social Platform across the Web Through General Availability of Facebook Connect
· http://www.facebook.com/press/releases.php?p=69602
· Facebook Releases Site in Spanish; German and French to Follow
· http://www.facebook.com/press/releases.php?p=69602#/press/releases.php?p=16446

LinkedIn
· LinkedIn Launches New Tools to Boost HR Professionals’ Efficiency as Responses to Job Postings Double in Challenging Economy
· http://press.linkedin.com/linkedin-new-hr-tools
· LinkedIn Launches in Spanish
· http://press.linkedin.com/linkedin-launches-spanish


Twitter:

· Four Ways in Which Enterprises Are Using Twitter
· http://www.gartner.com/it/page.jsp?id=920813
· Social Networking Helps Small Online Webstore Beat Out Major Retailers To Win Coupon Contest
· http://www.pressreleasepoint.com/social-networking-helps-small-online-webstore-beat-out-major-retailers-win-coupon-contest

YouTube:

· Social Media Expert, Ford Saeks Providing Insights to Growing Your Business
· http://www.pressreleasepoint.com/social-media-expert-ford-saeks-providing-insights-growing-your-business
· YouTube Surpasses 100 Million U.S. Viewers for the First Time
·http://www.comscore.com/Press_Events/Press_Releases/2009/3/YouTube_Surpasses_100_Million_US_Viewers

Also,

US Latino biz basics

Chris Campos sells machines that count dollar bills and when He show his machines he always expect that his clients will have an international accent.

The contribution of immigrant-owned businesses to the total U.S. economy is not well understood by the public. Sadly, many people view immigration as a rising problem, but in reality the facts show us that immigrants have overcome this stereotype by successfully contributing to the United States’ Economy. According to Census 2000, immigrants constitute 12.5 percent of the total population of U.S. business owners. Immigrant-Owned Businesses represent 11.6 percent of all U.S. business income with the majority of immigrants descending from Mexico. The total income generated by immigrants is about $67 million dollars and will continue to rise in the future.

Immigrants are about 30 percent more likely to start a new business than non-immigrants. Immigrants are responsible for $67 million out of the $577 billion dollars the United States brings in annually..

About 34.2 percent of immigrants open new businesses monthly in California making the state the largest Immigrant-Owned Businesses contributor in the country. Contributing roughly $20 million of the $67 million dollars that immigrant-owned businesses rack up each year puts California at the top financially.
About 35,000 new businesses are open by Latino immigrants every month.

The United States has a large and dominant group of Mexican Immigrants contributing to the U.S. Economy. Mexican immigrants are responsible for about 4.8 percent of business-owners.

Hispanic Businesses has grown to become a major success in the United States. The United States desires more Hispanic business owners to continue their success and encourage other immigrants to open their own businesses. We have constructed some good reasons selling to Hispanic businesses can be successful. On average, Hispanics have an estimated buying power of $452 billion. Half of the disposable income of Latinos is being spent at independent Latino businesses. This allows the businesses to circulate money and continue to thrive as a company. Immigrants represent 12.5 of all business owners and Hispanic businesses are 8 percent of all businesses currently in the United States. In 2002, Hispanics owned 1.6 million of all U.S. businesses.

Immigrant business owners make noticeable contributions to the U.S. economy in several different industries. Immigrants also contribute to wholesale trade and retail trade in America as well. Immigrants contribute 15.9 percent to wholesale trade and 15.5 percent in retail trade which is a significantly large percent and is increasing yearly. Retail and wholesale trade accounted for 35.9 percent of Hispanic-owned business revenue. There are about 29,168 Hispanic-owned businesses that obtain receipts of one million dollars or more.

No one said it was easy to start their own business but El Club de Comerciantes wants to provide future Latino business owners with the tools to success. El Club de Comerciantes provides online training, leads and an interactive business directory that helps Latino business owners find reliable providers as well as learn topics such as English, technology and business management. El Club de Comerciantes engages with the fastest growing generation of professional buyers. El Club de Comerciantes provide the bridge that connects companies with the new America. El Club de Comerciantes also translate your company’s website into Spanish in order to build trust as well as promoting to a wider audience. Readers are able to find trust in El Club de Comerciantes because only advertises legit businesses.

However, even with all of this opportunity, many businesses and organizations do not know how to reach the Latino demographic and businesses. Latino businesses generally buy only from familiar relations and trusted sources. Small Latino businesses do not attend networking events and are aware of formal networking methods.

. El Club de Comerciantes is bridging the gap between Latino small businesses and
the whole supply chain in the United States. Today It’s advertisers get promotion not only on their events and web portal but also at blogs, Facebook, YouTube, and with Search Engine Optimization.

El Club de Comerciantes only advertise and endorse legit providers. As said by Suzanne Burge Taylor, CEO, Taylormade Media Group/Femaleadvertising.com, El Club de Comerciantes is “excellent in communicating the advantages of nurturing cultural strategic alliances in today's diverse world. For further details contact Hugo Hernandez at
crece@elclubdecomerciantes.comor visit our website: http://www.somoscomerciantes.com

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