Social Media and Video

There has been a lot of buzz as of late in regards to the power of social media and video. It is a powerful combination because when the two work together you can see dramatic results. I first started using videos in 2006 by making a very basic Thai Tea "How To" video. The quality is average but the results have been fantastic. It is currently (with moderate research) the most watched Thai Iced Tea video on the internet. 

It was the first video I had ever published to Youtube and now has over 15,000 views. Not bad for something that was basically free to make.

Later in 2007 I shot about 15 cooking videos using two video cameras that had a cost of about $2,000 each. Along with some studio lighting ($400) My videos made a hug improvement in quality. 

In 2009 and 2010 I switched to the basic FLIP video camera. Cost $200. The quality of the videos is amazing. I could imagine most small businesses that would like to implement video could get away with using the FLIP along with at least 1 studio light which could be found for about $100. Videos on you website will increase the time spent on the site and if done properly... CONVERSIONS!

Check out my videos for CurrySimple on Youtube.

Need help getting started? Hire Me!

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Posted 9 minutes ago

Recognition by INC MAGAZINE

"Create authentic testimonials. Mikey Moran, founder and CEO of Thai food brand Curry Simple, uses his Flip to ask customers what they think of his products, which include sauces made in Thailand and sold in the United States in stores such as Whole Foods. "The Flip works great for testimonials because of its small size,'' he says. "The smaller video cameras seem to be less intimidating for customers. People tend to freeze up with larger cameras but not with the cute, hand-sized Flip." Moran has abandoned his two "prosumer" video cameras that cost $2,000 each. His Flip Mino HD was $200."

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Posted 1 day ago

New Facebook Layout

Have you seen the new Facebook layout? On 1.1.10 I logged in to see the debauchery from New Years Eve and noticed the new layout. I thought... this is nice! As time went on and discussing it with friends I noticed that not everyone has been updated. As a matter of fact I have yet to find anyone that has been updated. Interesting. After seeing my sisters account I decided to take a screen cap of my news feed and upload it to Facebook to ask if any of my other friends have received the update. Let's see what feedback i receive. 

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Filed under  //  Facebook Update  
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Posted 1 month ago

Interview with Atlanta Gspots

Interview with Atlanta Gspots

February 3: Mikey Moran
Serial entrepreneur! Owner & CEO of CurrySimple & various other businesses. 
www.mikeymoran.com

1. What is your passion?

I have a passion for success! This is not just for business but all aspects of life. Although I do need to be somewhat successful in business as I told my mom I was going to buy her a Mercedes while driving by a dealership when I was six years old. She still holds me to it! 

I am so fortunate for the opportunities that have been presented to me or that I have made with hard work. My vision for success is clear and I try to help others stay positive and reach their goals. As an entrepreneur I have had some of the best and surely the worst days in my life. My passion for success in health, friendships and relationships has helped me stay positive & cope with those bad days. You only live once. I would suggest you find your passion and don't let go! 

2. What or who inspires you?

My inspiration comes from within others. The feeling I get when I create something that excites someone revitalizes my passion. There are also a few friends and family members that have shown me overwhelming support. That is you Tommy, Thippy, Tony, Jimna, Kerri and of course my MOM! This inspires me to do the same for others when I can. It is rewarding to be contacted by people that seek my guidance in trying to launch a business. I will give all my time and knowledge necessary to help them out. Pay it forward!

3. What profession, other than your current one, would you attempt?

I think I will always be a serial entrepreneur. When I think profession I think a job? I don't even remember how to get a job! If I see an opportunity to create something successful I will go for it. I try to bring my friends in with me to share the excitement of a new project. There really is not much that I would not try. Failing only yields knowledge. Most people never "go for it" and have a chance to fail. That is failing within itself. 

4. Describe a turning point in your life (a crossroads that led you to follow your dream, for example)

At 14 I was diagnosed with Melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer. Melanoma spreads quickly to other parts of the body and becomes very difficult to treat. I was fortunate it was found at an early stage where they could basically just dig a hole in my back. I would not be writing this today if my mom didn't make me go to the dermatologist that morning. So no matter what happens in my business and personal life, I am thankful every day for still being here with my family and friends. People complain about the smallest things and don't realize how bad it really could be. Understanding this has helped me in many aspects of my life. I am not afraid to go for my dreams!

5. What music do you listen to get motivated and passionate? 

Akon! He makes songs that touch different types of emotions and makes me positive. His songs remind me of certain wild nights out in places from Atlanta to Bangkok. Listening to Akon makes me feel like I can take over the world. I am actually listening to him while writing this. Watch out world I am coming for you!!!

6. What is your favorite vacation spot?

Bangkok, Thailand. The city is amazing and the nightlife is out of control! The feeling of being on the other side of the world is life changing. The food, culture, and people are always an experience. I have made friends with managers, security and wait staff at some of the hottest nightclubs there. I try to stay away from most of the tourist spots and I am generally the only white american in the venues. I assure you a night out with me in Bangkok would be something to remember.

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Posted 1 month ago

Viral Loop - Book of the Week

Ho things get viral is really interesting. I read a little about the book before choosing it and thought it was perfect for my current mindset. 
Book reading tip - choose a book that is a hot topic for your current preferences. I am really big on social media markeing right now so I know I will enjoy this book more than if I was extreamly interested in SEO.

I dove into the first chapter with the first story being about the website Hot or Not. I remember spending hours rating pictures of girls years ago. I realized it was increadibly interesting to learn the background on this company. How a simple and fun idea had a 20 million dollar payout after just a few years. Inspiring and now I am ready for more!

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Filed under  //  book of the week   Viral Loop  
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Posted 1 month ago

The Buried Life

I love the MTV show "The Buried Life"... 100 things to do before you die.

The show is fun and a breath of fresh air for MTV. There are 4 guys that travel around checking off a list of items they want to do before they die. It has "The Real World" style filming and a great cast of 4. During their journeys they help others by asking people on the street what they would like to do before they die.

The concept for the show is brilliant and think everyone should be watching. You can visit The Buried Life and share what you would like to accomplish before you die as well. The website has a great design and is worth a look.

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Posted 1 month ago

Book Review - The Accidental Billionaire

I was really excited to pick up another book by Ben Mezrich. Bringing Down the House is still one of my all time favorite books. The Accidental Billionaires was good and worth reading but was not the same caliber of some of his other books. 

The first hundred pages were kinda slow but did quickly pick up afterwards. I guess you can make a story about a geeky (but brilliant) guy so exciting. The interesting part is how Facebook came about. It sometimes amazes me how I have used Facebook every single day for the past two years but had not really researched how it really got started.
The story portrayed Mark Zuckerberg as a brilliant designer (of computer programs) but also a shrewd business man that hid behind his geeky and quirky personality. I sometimes compared the ethics of his business decisions to what I would do. Maybe I care too much about my friends and the importance of my word and supporting others. Will this eventually hold me back in reaching success? I am not sure but would not trade my ethical behavior for success. 
There are some good lessons to learn in the book and think that the book will do well because of the success of Facebook. I expect a movie to be out with the story as well as Facebook going public in the next couple years.
4 out of 5 stars 

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Posted 1 month ago

Porsche Panamera VIP Party in Ferrari

This was Atlanta's event of the year in 2009! It is not every day you sit and have dinner with a billionaire (not name dropping) amongst Atlanta's other elite society. 

The best part may have been showing up to a Porsche event in a convertible Yellow Ferrari 430. Turn your speakers up!

The cop wanted us to park somewhere else away from the house... Are you serious..! No way..! So he radioed down and told them a "Porsche" was coming down...LOL Ferrari and Porsche have been rivals since the beginning of time. We just hoped the CEO of Porsche North America (who of course was in attendance) didn't see us. Any day cruising in a Ferrari is a good one. Enjoy!

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Posted 1 month ago

iPad - I HATE YOU!

How can I say that..???

OMG!!! Did he really say that..???

YES!!!

OK I don't really HATE the iPad. There are probably only a handful of stuff in the world that I can say I HATE (with all caps). Osama bin I KILL YOU... TRAFFIC... blah blah blah...

So today Steve Jobs unveiled the iPad in San Fran with great success. Supposedly the crowd roared with glee at the $500 price. I still can't figure out how this is $500 and the iPhone is $500... But it doesn't even matter as I will never own either (ANDROID). 

Ranting... so why do I HATE the iPad..?

Well it is like that popular song that is played on the radio every other song. It doesn't matter how good the song is you just get sick of hearing about it. Because I am on the interweb all day due to my current project all I have seen for the whole day on Twitter, Facebook and headline of any network that offers news is the iPad. People are already comparing the name to woman's fem products... I even saw a iPad mock up product box for a woman's fem product... Steve Jobs is a master of creating buzz for everything he does. That is great... But he is so damn good I will have to hear about it for months before and after the release.

OK feel better now... 

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Posted 1 month ago

Your Facebook BLOCK LIST

Do often find yourself "Blocking" people on Facebook? I do! That unwanted request to an event at a nightclub that you have already received 4 other notifications about. Wait... who is this person... they are not even my friend..? BLOCK!!!

It is nearly impossible for Facebook to stop this type of over promotion. Maybe a specially scripted algorithm or some other idea from Mark Zuckerberg could solve the problem. Is there not yet a class in High School about Facebook etiquette..? 

Facebook I still love you and will use you... I know it is not your fault...

It's not Facebook that kills Facebook... It's users that KILL Facebook...   

~Mikey Moran

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Posted 1 month ago