Mark Boothby

What I've learned about social media

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Ipad setup for content creation

I really became interested in social media when I retired and my wife decided to become a distributor for Juice Plus+. When I was working as a Deputy Chief in Emergency Services I was aware of the value of social media in getting information out. It wasn’t until I started curating and creating content for Della that I really got my feet wet.


I started out using Avid Studio on the PC to create video content. I loved it. The problem I had was that I didn’t use it every day so that I practically had to listen to the training video with every use. A smaller issue was that I had to go back to my home office and create the video before publishing it. Still I loved the program and still use it.


I’ve learned about Pinnacle Studio on the iPad. Its what we use now to create, edit and post content. We can go from start to finish in 30 minutes. You can’t beat that kind of immediacy.


I’ve learned that content we create does a lot better with the Facebook algorithm’s than curated content. The results for our own video and photos are much higher than content we curate. I remember one superb post that got very little coverage because I used a photo I got from a site.


We have experimented with Facebook Advertising. For a very small cost, you can dramatically boost the number of people that see your post. The lesson I’m working on is creating a boosted post that spurs a call to action.
Here’s an example of our video’s:

Software we use:

  • Hootsuite. We use it to monitor our personal and fan pages on Facebook, Twitter, WordPress, Instagram, Google+. I like it but I’ve not much experience with other programs. Occassionally, it looses a stream which is irritating. I don’t like that the iPad version does not have the same capability as the browser version.   
  • Avid Studio for the PC.  Full of features, longer learning curve.  
  • Pinnacle Studio for the iPad. Enough features for on the fly editing and posting to the Internet. Its what we use now for content creation.                    
  • Canva. It’s what we use to create images for our posts. After all, posts with images are read. Without an image, the post is less interesting                
  • IoGrapher Hardware for the iPad. We use a frame with handles that the iPad fits into. The frame allows for lenses, microphones, lights and a tripod to be attached.
  • Filmic Pro. That’s the program running on the iPad in the photo. It assists with 3 different zooms, focusing and lighting.     

We have a couple of issues remaining:

  1. We’re not used to being on screen presenters. Showing the energy and excitement we feel is harder that we thought. Still we’re getting better. It helps to have a solid belief in what your doing.
  2. Developing engaging content.
  3. Advertising. No doubt that using Facebook boosts will get you in front of more people. We don’t yet know if that will translate to more site and page visits.

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New Years Resolutions

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Are you one of those people that have New Years Resolutions? So were we, once a long time ago.
The problem we had was that we couldn’t stick to them. It didn’t matter if the resolution was about loosing weight or getting more exercise. A couple weeks or months afterwards, we stopped. Then the guilt and feeling of failure set in. It seemed like an endless cycle.
Then a couple of things happened in our lives. We attended a year long health basics course. I still remember a couple of lessons learned:

  • Develop a Mantra. Ours is “Food is just fuel”.
  • Use smaller plates. We keep our dinner plates in the cupboard for company and just use the smaller set. It’s funny how your mind works but it does make a difference.
  • Plate your food away from the table. This discourages seconds. It works too.
  • Half your plate should be coloured green and orange. Eat real food. Portion sizes should be no larger than your palm.
  • Drink a glass of water when you wake up, 30 before minutes before each meal and before bed.
  • Exercise for 30 minutes 3 times a week. In Red Deer we used the gym sets spread though out the Parks.
  • Focus on being healthy and weight should follow. We don’t use a scale anymore.

Then we were introduced to Juice Plus. The Trio pills certainly make getting the required amount of fruits and vegetables easier. The corresponding improvement in our health has been astounding. But the trio is only a bridge so we also use the Tower Garden to get fresh vegetables year round. The flavour difference is amazing. It’s like I’ve never eaten lettuce previously.
We completed a 12 day detox program the other day and notice that both of us have lost weight in our faces. This made us think about New Years resolutions again.
This time its different. We have a community that supports and encourages us.  That same support could help you too. Click the photo to jump out to the Healthy Living Rules website. If you like what you see, leave a comment.
HRL Page for Blog
We encourage you to get involved in the January challenge. Use the site links under blog roll in the left toolbar to visit our site.
For every Trio and Shake order we receive from now until end of January we will also add you to the Holiday Living Rules Facebook page. There you’ll find more recipes, tips and most importantly a supportive community.
Lastly, for every Trio and Shake order we receive from now until the end of January 2016 we will donate $20.00 to Big Brothers and Sisters Canada.
 

Update to Wifi Ranger review

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We’ve put the R.V. away for the winter. I’ve been spending time updating and preparing for next March. I’ve hooked up the WiFi Ranger Go and Elite routers to our home wireless network. They work beautifully delivering speeds nearing 18 meg. Even my old laptop performs well when connected. It appears a good Internet connection … Read more

Our latest event and Winter in Alberta

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We recently assisted Jayena Collins present Cochrane Healthy Living with Michelle Ball. Our goal is to promote healthy living around the world. We’ve found that good nutrition has enriched our lives and drastically improved our retirement. Both Della and I are now healthy enough to enjoy our retirement. Consequently, we feel the need to share … Read more

Our new hometown; Cochrane, Alberta

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We recently moved back to my home town, Cochrane, AB. Both Della and I feel like its home. It’s a beautiful part of Western Canada. We could post pictures all day but here is a few of our favorites.
Cochrane is barely outside Calgary, home of the famous Calgary Stampede. While Cochrane and Calgary share a western history, they’ve both grown. History is easily visible yet so is the influence of many other cultures. After all Calgary is 1.1 million people and Cochrane over 20 thousand.
We’re in the Bow River Valley so we’re heavily influenced by the Chinook Winds. Chinooks can change the temperature from -40 C (-40 F) to 0 C (32 F) in hours. That’s in winter for anyone not from around here. Temperatures during summer days are moderate. Nights can be cool as we are in the foothills.
Cochrane is in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Canmore, Bragg Creek, Banff and Banff National Park are nearby.  Banff is  just 100 kms (60 miles) west. Nature is right on the doorstep as Cochrane Ranche Park and Glenbow Provincial Park are just minutes from us.
Our doors are open for coffee or the weekend. Were happy to have coffee or show you around the area. We have a couple of spare bedrooms so bring a weekend bag.
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Bow River, Glenbow Provincial Park2015-11-03 15.01.09Cochrane Ranche

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Rockyview Hotel, Cochrane

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Main Street Cochrane

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Bow River Valley and Rockies west of town

Cochrane by Dar 1

Magnificent Blue fall skies

Cochrane by Dar 2

View west from top of Cochrane Hill

Our First Tower Garden Crop

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We’ve been talking about how to improve our diet for the past year. We’ve relied on produce from supermarkets as we’ve never had a garden. We’ve found that produce from supermarkets is quick to spoil, simply doesn’t taste as good, isn’t ripe when harvested and consequently doesn’t contain all the nutrients. There’s no criticism there, … Read more

Change of Plans

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The economy, health and moving expenses have caused a change of plans. The dollar is hovering around .75 cents US. That causes us to reconsider our travel plans south this summer. By all accounts there is not going to be a turn around for a while. The Canadian election may cause some stability. A change … Read more

Were on our way to Cochrane

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We’ve begun our move to Cochrane. We’re planning the paint schemes and doing as much as possible before the movers come next week. The old blue is getting changed out. We want to go with colours that we’ve not used before. Since we’re looking at so many new colours we had some help from a … Read more