Custom URLs...They're not Just for Websites Anymore

Customizing your url is one of the most important search engine optimization (SEO) strategies. Whether you're signing up for your a new blog or for your website, customizing your url is simple, easy and effective. And it will help you get found faster on sites such as Google.

Did you also know that you can also customize the url of all your social media platforms? Check your Facebook profile, any of your Facebook fan pages or LinkedIn profile. Are they just a bunch of random numbers, letters and symbols?

Take 5 minutes and change these to customized urls. It not only helps SEO, but looks much more professional.

To change your Facebook profile, head into Account Settings. I suggest you update your username to the name your full name. This way, people can search and find you easier on the site.

Not want to be found? Obviously don't change this username, or perhaps change it to something irrelevant so that you're even more difficult to be found. But beware: once it's changed, there's no turning back.

Similarly, you customize your LinkedIn url by clicking on  the "edit my profile button". Click the "edit" button next to your public profile. Unlike Facebook, LinkedIn allows you to update this url more than once. However, it's best to choose wisely if you're planning on handing out your linked url (for example on a business card).

For Facebook fan pages, you need at least 25 fans to be able to change your url and customize it. Check out this article for step by step directions on how to customize your Facebook fan page url.

If you've done so already, customizing your url does not take much effort. If you haven't, you might as well try it as soon as possible.  They are on a first-come, first-serve basis, so don't let anyone steal your brand name, or take the name you like to go by. Especially if you have a common name.

In my case, I try to use jenschultz, but rarely is it free. Depending on the site, I've had to all my names. Hence why you'll find me as: jenniferdawnschultz.

Take a look at my custom urls on: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Slideshare and Youtube.

Social Media as Friendship Building

I've just picked up a copy of Power Friending: Demystifying Social Media to Grow Your Business, written by Amber Mac, renowned social media expert. And better yet, she's Canadian!

The premise of the book is that social media is really nothing to be afraid of. It's become so mainstream, and will only continue to be moreso. So if you haven't hopped on it yet....why not start now?

Not sure what it's all about? Although it does seem complicated at first, all you really need is a good attitude and a desire to experiment.

If you follow the rule of treating everyone on social media as if you would a friend, you're laughing. Be you. Be authentic. Be truthful. Once you take those first steps, it's really not that mind boggling.

It reminds me of what my mom taught me to do: treat everyone the way you want to be treated!

Social media is revolutionizing the world. We're connected like never before. Even if you may not do a lot of talking at first, there's no reason not to join the conversation.

Ga Ga for Google? Hardly These Days

Is it just me, or does it seem like Google is dropping the bar a bit?

I am finding it more and more frustrating when searching for particular items on the internet. Searching for images seems to be the most painful lately. For example, today I went searching for images for Newfoundland. No welcome to Newfoundland signs....instead I just got way too many dogs.

I know content is important, but I'm finding it's taking me too long to find the things I am searching for. I might have to switch over to the dreaded Bing.

Green Social Media

With hundreds of thousands of different social media platforms to choose from, where can you find the best of green social media?

Here are a few of the useful green social media platforms worth taking a look at:

Make me Sustainable

This social media application was created to fill the gap between how we feel about our environment and what we do about it. Whether your a business or individual, it gives you the tools to track your carbon and energy portfolio. Track your progress and receive tips on how to become environmentally conscious.




Reddit Environment
If you're familiar with social bookmarking sites, Reddit is one of the top sites. But if you're looking for green information only, check out Reddit Environment. With over 41,000 readers on the site contributing links and comments, you'll be in the loop about the top environmental stories.

Change.Org Environment
This site has over 318,000 members that allows users to take action on various topics. Sign petitions for environment-related causes with a click of a button and get up-to-date environmental news. You can also get into contact with numerous environmental writers around the world.



TreeHugger
This site is one of the absolute best resources for green news, guides and job boards. Its boasts great ways to interact with other green-minded individuals with forums, pop quizzes and games. It also has its own iPhone application.

There's plenty of more green social media to check out. What's your favourite that you've found?

Travelling Green with Solid Shampoos

In a few months, I am heading to Australia, Fiji and New Zealand (Yes, lucky me!). In the meantime, I am looking at good packing tips and ways to decrease the amount of stuff to bring with me. (If you have any tips or great resources, please share!)

A friend of mine who works at LUSH Cosmetics gave me a great idea on how to cut down on the weight of my toiletries when travelling.

Solid shampoos and conditioners will not only save me space in my suitcase, but they are also made without preservatives or wasteful packaging. It also lasts mush longer than traditional shampoos and conditioners, saving you money.

One of the solid shampoos I've tried is Squeaky Green. My hair gets quite oily so it's a great match. It's also a vegan product.

If you're wondering how it works, here's a good introduction video.



What are your thoughts on solid shampoos and conditioners? If you've tried them, what did you think?

G20 Protestors: A Few Bad Apples

In case you are living under a rock, this past weekend in Toronto was the G20 Summit. I fortunately decided to head up north of the city and am so glad I did.

As a Torontonian (and not a native one I must add, I am proudly a westerner) I was disgusted on the actions of a few bad apples.

Many videos are circulating on YouTube, but here is a taste of the criminal actions of a few bad protestors:


                                    
The destruction and media attention that arose from these actions clouded the voices and messages of the 'real' protestors. Poverty and climate change were two important issues not addressed at the G20.

Unfortunately, the peaceful protestors lost an opportunity to communicate their important messages. Why does it always seem to be that a few bad apples ruin it for the rest of us?

The Sad State of Greenwashing

After researching an article for Green Living, I've come to the sad conclusion that companies make it very difficult for us to purchase products that are truly green.

The startling statistic of 98 per cent of products have committed at least one sin of greenwashing is absolutely frightening.

But nonetheless, as consumers we need to demand that products and companies who claim to be green are in fact green. If we don't learn to avoid greenwashing, then we are allowing the true environmentally friendly products to not take full advantage in the marketplace.

How Do I Avoid Greenwashing?

I'm still a learner in this process, but one of the best resources I have come across is Ecologo.

It has an interactive site that you can actually look up products that have been certified as truly green. So, why not avoid the confusion at the grocery store? Look up your product before you go, and if it's not in the store, then demand for it.

We need to start exercising our power as consumers. You can vote for the planet every time you make the right purchase.