Austin Texas Neighborhood Profiles – Brentwood

What is now known as the Brentwood neighborhood in Austin, Texas, was once just a pretty cotton farm. Then, in the late 1940s, the City of Austin annexed the farm, which was north of then city limits. The farm was next to Brentwood Elementary and the city used the land to establish the Brentwood neighborhood park and to open the school by 1951. Today, few would know Brentwood’s rural past without reading up about it, because today the neighborhood is thoroughly modern. In fact, Brentwood has become one of the most bustling and hip neighborhoods in Austin.

Today, Brentwood residents tend to be university professors or students (the university is only a very short commute away) or professionals. Nearby high-tech companies ensure that many engineers, high-tech workers and even politicians choose to call Brentwood home. All these diverse residents have no trouble finding the perfect housing in this neighborhood. Brentwood … Read more

Xactimate Training Online – Getting Help From the Help Desk

As everyone knows from time to time something just doesn’t go right and you need help. Whether it be a technical issue, like an error showing up or just a plain, old “how do I do that” situation, we have all been there, staring at the screen and wondering what to do next.

Some of you who use Xactimate on a regular basis will know exactly how to get the help and information you need to proceed, while others may not. If it is help with an error or software issue you have two choices; live telephone support or internet chat support. Personally, I love the chat support feature and I find that many adjusters don’t really take advantage of this service very often.

Xactware is exceptional at both phone support and chat support. I have found their tech personnel are top notch and usually can get you fixed up … Read more

13 Social Media Trends and Opportunities for 2021

Everything You Need to Know About Social Media Marketing Trends Today!

The social media world has exploded with activity, and social media trends of 2021 have shifted since the COVID pandemic onslaught. Sure, it’s exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. You need to know how these shifts affect your business-and how to capitalize on them to improve your marketing strategy.

So, we’re making a foray into the digital world to help you understand the social media trends and opportunities for 2021. Let’s get at it!

1. Make a Connection with Live Streaming

Humans need to stay connected for personal and business reasons. When they can’t do that face-to-face, technology is more than happy to step in and bridge the gap. Luckily, social media new trends have come to the rescue during this pandemic. Live streaming, a popular medium that only grew stronger in 2020, will continue to play a … Read more

The Perennial Nonprofit Question: To Send A Holiday Card Or Not To Send A Holiday Card

To send a holiday card or not send a holiday card, that is the question. Each year since 1991 I’ve wrestled with this question, not personally but professionally. My family sends Christmas cards to family members, friends, and a few acquaintances. That’s not a problem–it’s a good way to share news, convey best wishes, and in general stay in touch.

So what’s the problem professionally? Aren’t these same benefits available to a nonprofit organization when it sends Christmas cards, or more broadly, any kind of holiday card to its constituents? It depends.

If nonprofit organizations send personalized cards than I think they generate a positive return on investment. In other words, if nonprofit organizations, no matter how many cards they choose to mail, insert some individualized news, note, name, than it seems to me the card is worth the effort. Without this personalization I’m not so sure.

Mass Mailed CardsRead more

Screenwriting – 12 Rules to Get Your Screenplay Rejected Right Away

There is an art to getting your screenplays rejected right away. Do the following if you’d like to see your months and perhaps years worth of efforts go to the trash bin within 15 seconds or less.

1) Write a “feature-length” screenplay that is 30 pages long.

2) Write a “feature-length” screenplay that is 300 pages long.

3) Use a great day-glo orange cover to get noticed.

4) Paste photos generously to illustrate your scenes. Your smiling photo with your favorite pet next to you and typing away on your laptop would really enhance the aesthetic value of the front cover.

5) Provide frequent detailed camera and directorial instruction like “WIDE-ANGLE SHOT, the actors should imagine they are at a FUNERAL,” etc.

6) Use crazy font on the cover and inside the script in order to grab the attention of the studio Reader. Never use Courier.

7) Include sidebar notes … Read more