Friday, March 15, 2019

Arte

Regresamos al mes de Mayo en el 2014 en el que comparto con vosotros momentos con artistas que son luz través de su arte y pasión. 

Su nombre es Andres Levin, un cantautor & productor nacido en Venezuela con vibras buenas que ha contribuido mucho a la industria musical como la creación del grupo Yerba Buena con la hermosa Cucu Diamantes. Me gustan porque sus líricas son capaces de hacerte sonreír y pensar a la vez que estas bailando el ritmo.

En el 2013 la Venezolana, Gabriela Isler fue coronada como Miss Universo y la verdad es que es una persona tan bonita por dentro como lo es por fuera. Al conocerla me encontré con un ser amable y humilde con quien hablé sobre moda y la situación que aun lamentamos de Venezuela que sigue bajo la dictadura de Nicolas Maduro. 
Al visitor la pagina Venezuela Live Aid puedes ver mas información en como brindar ayuda a este país de tanto corazón.

La cantante Cucu Diamantes es una persona que da energía de paz, amor, aceptación y tomar riesgos–todo a la misma vez. Hablar con ella es como hablar con una amiga que tienes mucho tiempo sin ver pero igual parece que el tiempo no ha pasado.  
Si aun no has escuchado su disco Cuculand, te lo recomiendo que hay mucho para bailar. 

In a flashback to May of 2014 I share some insightful moments with not only artists but doers, movers and shakers that work hard everyday to to bring forth a little light in the world with their knowledge and passion. 

Venezuelan born Andres Levin is a song writer and producer and all around cool dude. He’s done a lot for the industry but one of my favorite things is that he put together this band called Yerba Buena along with Cucu Diamantes. They have a sound with clever lyrics that make you think and smile as you sing a long and of course shake more than your tail feather because the music is that good. 

In 2013 Gabriela Isler won the title of Miss Universe on behalf of her native Venezuela. It’s a cliché to say but she really is beautiful inside in out. When I met her as Miss Universe she was super humble and very sweet. We talked fashion and Venezuelan politics but to much dismay Venezuela is still under the dictating rule of Nicolas Maduro. The country has been hurting for way too long now but by visiting Venezuela Live Aid you can learn more on what’s going on and how you can make a difference. 

Cuban singer Cucu Diamantes radiates an energy of peace, love, acceptance and taking chances all at once. Talking with her is like talking to a girlfriend that you hadn’t seen in way too long yet it seems as if time hasn’t gone by. 
If you haven’t done so already check out Cuculand, she’s bound to make you dance. 


Bionica: You are quite dapper today!
Andres Levin: Thank you. 
Bionica: You’re wearing bright prink with navy blue pants. What inspired you to choose this look for today?
Alejandro Ingelmo, Cucu Diamantes
Andres Levin in Duncan Quinn
Andres Levin: I’m sort of known for dressing a little differently and I just love color. I’m wearing clothes by my designer friend Duncan Quinn. And you know, black tie, we’re on stage and we’re bringing a little bit of color and difference to the gala so why not wear something different you know? 
Bionica: So you’re going to sing for us today?
Andres Levin: Yes! Well today, Cucu (the Chair) and I’m Co-Chair along with a very interesting group from Nueva Gente, New York. The idea is to mix some art with music. Cucu will sing through out the night, not just at the end when there will be a great concert which will include songs from Yerba Buena which we haven’t played in a while and songs from her new album. She will be debuting a new song called Pecado de Picasso (Picasso’s Sin) which is inspired by the sprit of art in New York and this opportunity that we have to take part in it. 
Bionica: As a musician, you know the importance of art. How did art influence you growing up?
Andres Levin: Well, I am the son of artists. My parents first taught me about music and art before teaching me how to tie a tie, this is something I learned much after (pointing to tie). I know of nothing that exists without art. It’s the purest thing in the world, the grand mystery that moves our day to day. 

Gabriela Isler: For today’s look I wanted something conservative that would represent me, my personality at the same time and I loved this because it’s modest and sexy at the same time. It has the lace sleeves, open back… I’m always trying to add a little color with jewelry and I think the hair and makeup can give a more youthful look and it was perfect for tonight. 
Bioncia: What’s your favorite piece to
wear, for example are you more into skirts, pants… What defines Gabriela Isler when she goes out? What is it that says ‘this is Gabriela’?
Gabriela Isler in Ports 1961
Gabriela Isler: I think it’s hard to single out a single item, I think it all comes down to style as a whole. I’m a classic, modest woman, the kind that thinks that less is more and is prettier. So define me, I would say something very classic, it could be a white shirt with a pair of jeans or a nice handbag or accessories and that’s it. 
Bionica: Do you have a favorite designer?
Gabriela Isler: There’s a few. I’m from Venezuela and I love the designers from my country. I love Angel Sanchez, I love Carolina Herrera–they are very classic in their style. 
Bionca: I love Venezuela too! What can you tell me about everything that is going on right now?
Gabriela Isler: Well I’ve never been one to stay quiet about what’s going on and have always raised my voice for my country. I’ve taken advantage of my platform to raise awareness and to also ask my fellow countrymen to respect and recognize each other. It’s more than a political problem, it’s more than an economic problem, it’s a social problem in that has to do with the acceptance of ideologies, the acceptance of different ways of thinking. And so I’m hurt and sad because these are my brothers, my family, 30 million Venezuelans and we’re all suffering just the same. I just moved here about 6 months ago but my family is still there and so it hurts but I’m blessed to be able to raise my voice and I’m going to keep doing it. 


Bionica: First off, you are looking radiant tonight! You look like a doll. 
Cucu Diamantes: Oh yes!! (excited)
Bionica: How did you pick out what to wear tonight, for such an important event?
Cucu Diamantes
Cucu Diamantes: I always like to find vintage pieces, it’s a tradition of mine so that I’m always wearing something different than another person at the gala because there is always this possibility to wear the same outfit if a designer sends you pieces that have also been sent to someone else…I also think that everything has already been done and it’s a human thing to reinvent ourselves from what has already been created. This vintage piece doesn’t even have a tag with the designer’s name on it. Danny Santiago a friend and great stylist lent it to me, he’s responsible for Sex & The City. He had it in his warehouse and he told me I have something fabulous for you and he brought this out, I tried it on and I didn’t have to pick anything. It was like, that’s what you’re going to wear in the evening. 
Jackie: It was heaven sent. 
Bionica: It’s very pretty. 
Cucu Diamantes: It’s also spring that started a little late. 
Bionica: You’re going to be singing with Yerba Buena tonight.
Cucu Diamantes: Yes.
Bionica: What can we expect tonight?
Cucu Diamantes: Well my song Pecado de Picasso will premiere tonight and it has to do with all of the sculptures by Ray Smith that are adorning the gala as well as his candelabras. 
Bionica: Does this mean that we can expect an album from Cucu sometime soon?
Cucu Diamantes: Yes, yes. It’s already in the production process. And my independent movie Amor Cronico will be out this summer. 
Bionica: Can you sing a little bit of Amor Cronico, it’s one of my favorite songs. 

Cucu Diamantes: Forgotten in your rhyme, in your calm, in your craziness. Makes me stop, makes me go. I get lost and am found… 

Sunday, March 3, 2019

Sprinkles to Spread






Todo empezó con una rosquilla y algo de azúcar aunque la verdad es que era mas. Después de haber leído La Rosquilla del Día–Algo de Ficción Inspirado por Autores Reales aprendí que si es una maravilla cuando tu blog te trae dinero pero eso quiere decir que hay que mantenerlo. Para que este hermoso trabajo pueda superar las expectativas hay ciertas cosas que tenemos que considerar. Por ejemplo, ya cuando hay una cantidad sostenible de seguidores es importante darles algo dulce para que así sigan saboreando ;)
Así como cuando vas a comprar tus rosquillas, llegas a la panadería con deseos de algo dulce entonces el panadero hace todo lo posible para que vuelvas y que sigas interesada(o) en los nuevos sabores que están por llegar. Y es así de parecido el método de tener temas que le interesen igual o mas a tu audiencia estén donde estén. Si le llegas al corazón de personas en lugares distintos es mucho mejor porque tendrás un seguimiento aun mas grande. 
Pink Donut, PopSocketsSi luego la cantidad de seguidores es demasiado que no sabes cómo mantener el contacto con todos, puedes utilizar un equipo para los correos electrónicos que proveen todo lo que necesitas incluyendo modelos de correos que son hermosos y llamativos. Al mandar correos que son mas personales puedes aumentar tus intercambios con tus seguidores por un 25% porque a ver, a todos nos encanta que nos comprendan y tener esa conexión. 
Si la publicidad que aparece en tu pagina tiene que ver con los temas que presentas, es mucho mejor porque todo el mundo sale ganando. Tu cliente va estar contento por todos los clicks que va recibir y tu audiencia va estar agradecida(o) por el producto nuevo que conocerán través de tu pagina. 
Recuerda los medios diferentes de las redes sociales como Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat…son muy buenos y ayudan, pero en realidad los temas aparecen en correos electrónicos son 150% mas susceptibles en fluir conversaciones actuales. 
Puede que llegue un tiempo en el que no sepas de donde sacar tu próximo tema, pero no hay razón para preocuparse ya que los seguidores siempre están listos para apoyar con ideas nuevas y las encuestas son buenísimas para ayudar elegir el sabor de tu rosquilla de mañana ;)


Para encontrar mas artículos interesantes sobre la importancia del mercadeo través de los correos electrónicos pueden visitar Campaign Monitor u EMMA. Hay algo allí para todos! 

It all started with a donut and some sprinkles but really it was more than that. After reading Daily Donut–A Fictional Story Inspired by Real-Life Publishers I learned that yes it’s a wonderful thing when your passion blog is able to make you money but you definitely have to keep up. In order to allow this passion project to go past its amazing potential there are things to consider. For example, once you have the following, do your best to keep your followers engaged. 
Kind of like when you go out to buy donuts. You’re already in the mood for sweet but to keep you coming back to the same spot, the baker must make sure each donut is even better than the last and if they keep you guessing about any new flavors that are just as good, well that’s the best isn’t it. 
Image result for sprinklesSo how about having something that will target audience members in different locations so that you may also open up to new people that may love your work just as much. 
If the influx of traffic becomes too much and you’re not sure of how to keep up with all the emails, consider using an email team that has everything you need such as easy to use templates that are just as beautiful eye catching. Tailoring your emails on a more personal level may also help your engagement grow by more than 25% because let’s be honest, it’s nice when someone understands us ;) 
And if you place advertisements linked to your topics it’s a win win because the client will be happy for those clicks as will be your audience for introducing them to something that goes great with what you offer. 
Remember that social media outlets can be very helpful too but in some cases email related content may account to a spike of more than 150% in conversations.  
If there is ever a moment in which you are at a loss at what to blog about next, your followers are always there to support you with new ideas. Conducting surveys may help out in narrowing what to talk about next and which donut to try out as well ;)

For more great articles on the importance of email marketing, be sure to check out Campaign Monitor or Emma. There is something for everyone!



The digital age has arrived and sites like Campaign Monitor & EMMA are here to make sure you’re able to make the most of your business from phone screen to tablet or computer. 
Both sites offer services that assist in pushing your business to it’s full digital potential. 
Campaign monitor for example has quite an interesting article