HIPSTERIFFIC MUSIC MIX FROM iTUNES THROUGH STARBUCKS

Brought to you courtesy of Red Plum.

Through this week until the end of August iTunes has for download, a free, hipsteriffic music mix of ten tracks featuring the likes of Black Rebel Motorcycle Band, the Shout Out Louds, Goldfrapp, and Hot Chip. While it's maybe not as "edgy" as Starbucks would have you believe, it's not bad. --Well, not once you get over the feeling that you just downloaded a playlist put together through a partnership between Starbucks and iTunes.

Though a highlighting a mix put out through such an unholy alliance gives me a sort of nasty, filmy feeling on my teeth, I can't pretend I don't use both these... what are they anyway? Services? Brands? After all, whenever traveling, whether it's to the big city or some hole out in the sticks, I'm always a bit relieved to see a Starbucks down the corner. This guarantees that even if the coffee is hideously bad every where in town, I will be able to find a palatable, if kinda burnt, cup of coffee somewhere should I get desperate. And while I find the fact that iTunes only works with the iPod a little insidious, I still use iTunes in addition to owning and using an iPod. Eh.

Anyway! Get the playlist here! They're giving it away for free!

STILL TO COME: SAVING SUX (AMEN)

Your facebook status is free advertising.

That's all there is to it really. --And you probably already knew that. If you didn't, consider the following: unfortunately, printed periodicals are on the decline. Many local, and even some national papers are shrinking and condensing their layouts to save costs. -And when was the last time you remembered to check the listings in the local daily for things like garage sales, music equipment and appliances?

Are you having a garage sale? Make it your facebook status! Moving and selling your old bed frame and bookcases? Make it your facebook status! Opening an etsy or ebay store? MAKE IT YOUR FREAKIN FACEBOOK STATUS!

So, depending on the number of facebook friends you have, and the level of privacy (or lack there of) on your facebook profile, you may be able to reach close to, or more than the number of people you normally would have had you put up paid classified ads in the local papers and periodicals.

Is it effective free advertising? It all depends on the number of contacts you have established through your facebook profile and how many of them are able to view your status updates. If nothing else, you could always use it as an additional venue while using traditional methods to announce your yard sale extravaganza. I can't say I've established any mathematical equations for computing possible revenue, but I can say the odds are pretty good that if you're reading this blog post, you were linked through my facebook status.