1. Thank You To Our Great Customers!
     

    June 29th, 2011

    In case you don’t already know, we have been giving away Free Posters to all our followers who like Pixxlz’s FB Page. Don’t you want this awesome offer? All you have to do is head to facebook.com/Pixxlz, “Like” our page, submit your image by clicking on the Free Poster tab, and Boom- you are going to get a Free Poster(12×18)! This is our way of giving back to our followers and letting them know that we appreciate their love!

    We have gotten a great response from college students and mothers. They all are ecstatic by the limited giveaway and we appreciate the feedback. There is nothing that we love more than hearing back from our customers. We received a variety of photos that are going to make awesome posters. Some are so spectacular that they can be used to decorate and style up your home.

    Not only can we make posters of your favorite photos, we can print your pictures in the following sizes: 5×7, 8×10, & of course poster size- 12×18.  We even made ordering photos easy by incorporating the upload featured in our FB Page.  So go ahead and capture your son, your daughter, any of your relatives’, and all of your friends’ special moments. It is truly amazing when memories are shared as decoration around a home. In addition to printing a variety of personal moments, we have also been printing photos of stunning artwork. These posters are going to make great art in someone’s home. In addition, we print all of our work using a high quality, commercial printer vs. a regular home printer that has lots of limitations.

    We at Pixxlz, want to thank you for blowing up our print center with all your remarkable photos! Remember that “Sharing is Caring” so suggest our page to your family and friends so they can print whatever their hearts desire!!

    Category: PixxlzComments (0)

  2. A Look into the new Social Life
     

    June 28th, 2011

    In 2010, it was recorded that the average American spent thirty-two hours a month on the Internet. As the popularity of social media sites like Facebook and Twitter increases, so does the amount of time people spend online. But why do people spend hours on end cruising about the Internet and what are the elements we users find so addicting? This suction cup called social media is addicting because it is current. People love current. The Internet has conditioned us to stay plugged in, so to speak. If something’s going on, posted, tweeted about, uploaded, we need to see it and we need to see it now. Other people’s lives unfold before our eyes, as we watch our screen refresh and update. New information inundates our newsfeed and timelines. People stay online because other people stay online. Together, we form a community of addicts, all addicted to each other. This is our new definition of social. How ironic that social media is the term used for online correspondence. So, as I sit here on Facebook all day, consider my social life enviable.

    Celebrities and companies have taken notice: people are always on Facebook. Why not target people in a place they spend thirty-two hours every month? This part makes sense, but what’s so important about having as many followers/ fans as possible? What’s the benefit of having a high number? It’s simple: viral recognition. Like fashion, Facebook has trends- certain pages become popular at certain times, based on who likes them. The more people like your page, the more user pages your fan page shows up on, increasing the chances of more people viewing your page.

    So is there a right or wrong way to utilize social media to one’s professional advantage?  Or are we all figuring it out as we go? There’s a reason why there is no Facebook rulebook- that reason being that Facebook changes regularly. Elements are constantly added- different features, layouts, and capabilities, etc. As technology advances, so do the social media sites that rely on it. And for this reason, there is no guidebook instructing companies how best to use Facebook- because using Facebook to better one’s business has never been done before. This resource of exposure is revolutionary, and each day more people learn it is a skill worth learning. Millions of fan pages exist, and each fan page hopes to rack up their “likes”- because they want to be recognized. They want to be seen by the masses, and the masses use Facebook. Perhaps on the day that progress can no longer be made, and developers have done all that they can to advance the world wide web, a rulebook can be written.

    Julie Daniels

     

    Source:

    http://www.comscoredatamine.com/2011/01/average-time-spent-online-per-u-s-visitor-in-2010/

     

    Category: Keeping It GreenComments (0)

  3. Measuring social media ROI, What about Non-Profits?
     

    June 17th, 2011

    Many uncertainties and complexities still lay within the realm of social media, most typically ROI and the ability to calculate it. According to many academics, ROI has become, in a sense, the holy grail of social media. Businesses want to be sure of ROI within social media and therefore still need many questions answered. Organizations find themselves asking, “Are we doing the right things? Targeting the right people? How can we tell?” One common finding is that traditional metrics are non-compatible within the social media arena. They simply do not work.

    To demonstrate ROI in social media terms check out Oliver Blanchard’s witty presentation in the link below:

    www.slideshare.net/thebrandbuilder/olivier-blanchard-basics-of-social-media-roi

    One must not underestimate the power of social media. DEI world study showed that 70% customers visited social media sites about information and almost 50% made purchases based on this information. This is huge! Given these statistics there is no wonder why Lady Gaga launched her new line of products are under her grey label tab on her page and include items such as an instant mobile printer and photo-snapping glasses.

    One thing is very clear for businesses- social media is where current and potential customers are interacting. Both Lady Gaga and Barack Obama demonstrate the limitless benefits of a strong social media presence. Combined, the two icons have a staggering 60+ million followers. In order to drive their overall popularity, revenue and, ultimately, success, both use social media as a powerful resource.

    In terms of Non Profits and Charities, where do they stand within the frenzy of social media sites?

    Lady Gaga recently joined forces with Robin Hood Foundation giving away $1million and using different contests to increase the number of Facebook likes and followers for the foundation. The exposure offered by a celebrity Fan page, of which 38.6 million people follow at 6/17/11, is a groundbreaking opportunity for any foundation.

    The 2011 nonprofit social networking survey, released by NTEN, provides compelling data on how charities are using social media. One distinct finding is the recent growth of social media and its use for online fundraising. Of the charities surveyed (over 11,000 nonprofits) it showed 9 out of 10 nonprofits (89%) reported a presence on Facebook in 2011. Nonprofits are undoubtedly getting savvier at growing their social media presence. The average number of Facebook followers for nonprofits rose 161% in 2011. The level of fundraising threw social media channels have also increased substantially. The number of non-profit groups successfully generating a small fundraising stream on Facebook is rising steadily and has the potential to revolutionize how charities fundraise.

    What do all of these statistics tell us? Put simply, nonprofits can no longer afford to be without a social media presence. To all the non-profits, if you are not on Facebook, other Non-Profits are, making friends, receiving donations and forming relationships with their followers and supporters. The key to succeeding in the era of social media can be put simply- keep up!
    - Pixxlz

    Category: PixxlzComments (0)

  4. Capturing Boston’s History
     

    June 15th, 2011

    Boston, Pixxlz’s home city, has always been known for its great history. Millions of tourists travel from around the world to experience the monuments from our nation’s early history. Boston is one of the top 10 tourist cities in the country. There are a number of free museums that offer a great range of interesting information that has made Boston such an intriguing destination for tourists. From the sports to political history, Boston offers a great experience for anyone.

    The Boston landmarks are truly a sight to see. The New State House at the top of Beacon Hill has breath-taking architecture that is a must see for any tourist. The dome covers the top of building in a 23.5 carat gold leaf. The building was built in 1795 on land originally owned by John Hancock. This still remains the home of Massachusetts legislation and is a pillar of Boston’s history.

    Of all the landmarks, the Paul Revere House, which is the oldest house in New England, located in downtown Boston is the most historic. In 1775, this is where Paul Revere set out on his famous midnight ride to warn the city that the British were coming. The house still contains the 17th and 18th century furnishing and memorabilia, even some of Revere’s personal belongings.

    Tourists are constantly taking pictures throughout the city to capture their own moment with the history of Boston. Most tourists only take photos with their digital camera and cannot print them with any good quality. They must also buy post cards to send to their friends and family that are commodities and impersonal. Pixxlz however can print quality photos. The photos can easily be uploaded through our website or Facebook and be delivered within 2-3 days before their trips are done! We can print in 8×10 or 12×18 whether they want to frame them or just keep them for memory sake. We also print customized post cards that they can send to their families and friends with their personal photos to share their moment! It would be a pleasure for us to help all the tourists experience the beauty of our great city.

    Category: PixxlzComments (0)

  5. Pixxlz evolves
     

    June 13th, 2011

    2004

    Lauren, Matt, and I were lying on my bed playing Nintendo 64 (Diddy Kong Racer to be precise). Since there were only two controllers, Matt sat at the edge of the bed playing around on Lauren’s laptop.

    “You have Facebook set as your homepage?” Matt was laughing.

    “It’s so addicting!” Lauren said.

    I was fourteen years old. Lauren was eighteen. When I asked what Facebook was, she attempted an explanation.

    “It’s like this thing where… you can like see people that go to the same college as you.” That was it. How informative. Then she and Matt began stalking Lauren’s future freshman roommate. “I wonder if she likes country music. She doesn’t look like the type,” said Lauren. “Message her and ask,” said Matt.

    Lauren’s generation was the first to form relationships (and online “friendships”) prior to meeting one another. For decades, the summer leading up to freshman year of college was plagued by the anticipation of The Roommate. For Lauren, the anticipation lasted only a few hours- the hours it took for Stephanie to accept her pending friend request.

    2005

    For the first year of Facebook’s life, every high school student envied college student’s membership to this cool club. Facebook existed for high school students, but it wasn’t nearly as developed nor popular as the college version. In addition, high schoolers and college kids were incapable of ‘friending’ one another. The GREAT divide. And so came the day when the bridge was gapped, and us wee one’s were finally able to connect with the big kids. Intergenerational stalking.Soon after, everyone was allowed to have a Facebook; providing a school email address was no longer mandatory. I remember feeling territorial, as did my friends (literal friends and online friends- big difference). Facebook was the land where we posted pictures of house parties and updated each other on the latest and most outrageous YouTubes. Adults had no place making themselves part of the Facebook community

    2011

    Why bring up all this Facebook nostalgia, if Pixxlz is Pixxlz and not Facebook? The answer: like Facebook, Pixxlz has evolved. In fact, our evolution is now intertwined with that of Facebook’s. For years now, Facebook has provided it’s users with the ability to upload pictures. The aim of photography has changed: now, people take pictures with full intent of posting them online, where hundreds of other people will view them/ comment on them/ “Like” them. Gone are the days of taking pictures just for the fun of it- for the most part. Facebook has conditioned us to crave an audience, and what better way to please our audiences then to provide visuals of our Thursday nights/ trips to Nantucket/ semester abroad? This is where Pixxlz comes in. As a digital printing company AND as a new technology, our aim is to materialize the memories (print picturesà make posters) and remind photography of its original purpose: quality images made to last.

    Julie Daniels

    Category: PixxlzComments (0)