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Business Goals for the Travel Hacking Cartel

January 30, 2011 Business Goals for the Travel Hacking Cartel I was all set to go on national TV Friday morning to discuss travel hacking, but then I got a frantic message from the producer: "Have you been to Egypt?" Why yes, I said, I have -- not checking the news, since I was thinking ahead to the segment for which they were interviewing me. The next message came three minutes later, saying they were dropping travel hacking in favor of Egyptian riots. Since bringing democracy to a country that has lived with a dictator for three decades is probably more important than earning a free plane ticket, I decided that decision was fair. I went back inside and changed into a t-shirt. *** This is the Sunday Store Update. Before the all-consuming book tour, I used this weekend space on AONC to write about the business development side of our project. The notes in these updates aren't designed to sell you on anything, so if you're new here, feel free to take off your skeptic hat and just read along. (And if you don't care about the inner workings of a business, you can safely skip these updates.) This week I launched the Travel Hacking Cartel, my first business project in six months. There were two important elements to the project's development: a) The world of travel hacking is fun but overwhelming. Most people really don't know how to earn lots of Frequent Flyer miles without flying and redeem them for big awards, so I wanted to break it down very simply and provide a step-by-step plan. (This is also backed up by the "World's Greatest Guarantee" of four plane tickets a year.) For those who have unlimited time to spend, there are plenty of resources where you can spend countless hours learning everything about the inner workings of the travel world. But for those who just want to know what to do in order to take advantage of major opportunities without getting overwhelmed, there was no well-developed option... until now. b) I wanted to create something "shareable" that people would pass on to their friends. Creating something shareable isn't just about putting a Facebook button on a page; you have to ensure your service is truly valuable and noteworthy. It's good if your service is fun, but above all, it must be useful. With the Cartel, I have a big goal to do something I've never done before: I want the project to grow on its own, without a lot of push from me. Other entrepreneurs out there will recognize the significance of this challenge; normally a product launch is the main source of growth, and the activity afterwards quickly falls off. It normally works like this: Launch = Huge day! Fireworks! Everything is amazing! Post-launch = Everything calms down and dwindles out over time I'm fortunate that UnconventionalGuides.com is somewhat insulated thanks to the hundreds of reviews and affiliate links that are continuously published online. But nevertheless, even with our relative success we still have a big rush of sales come through during a launch, then much fewer as time goes by. Conversely, my goal for the Travel Hacking Cartel is that most of the ongoing growth will come through word-of-mouth and the internal referral program we've set up. I'm happy to do media and other work behind the scenes, but I don't want to promote the project all the time from AONC. Will the project succeed under this model? I hope so, but time will tell. Ultimately the Cartel will be judged by the success of our members in travel hacking. As they are able to earn lots of miles and redeem them for high-value trips, I expect the results will speak for themselves. I'll do a "behind the scenes" of the Cartel update in another month or so, and from time to time I'll mention deals that Cartel members have taken advantage of, but overall we're going to see what we can do without using AONC as the main platform. Fingers crossed! You can check out the Cartel over here if you're interested. We had a few technical glitches during the initial launch day (as always happens), but everyone is settling in nicely now and we have a lot of fun things coming up. Back here on AONC, this week we'll return to regularly-scheduled updates with no further business promotion for a while. ### You can follow me on Twitter here You can join AONC on Facebook here       A Small Shop with Big Plans for Fun People click here to get it or learn more click here to get it or learn more click here to get it or learn more click here to get it or learn more click here to get it or learn more A Brief Guide to World Domination 279 Days to Overnight Success A Short Collection of Unconventional Ideas Why You Should Quit Your Job and Travel Around the World Why People Hate Marketers Ever Feel Like Giving Up?                           The Art of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau Web: http://chrisguillebeau.com Twitter: @chrisguillebeau Snail Mail: 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214

Comment is free We've waited for this revolution for years. Other despots should quail

We've waited for this revolution for years. Other despots should quail

Mona Eltahawy

• • guardian.co.uk, Saturday 29 January 2011 20.00 GMT
  • Article history

My birth at the end of July 1967 makes me a child of the naksa, or setback, as the Arab defeat during the June 1967 war with Israel is euphemistically known in Arabic. My parents' generation grew up high on the Arab nationalism that Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser brandished in the 1950s. But we "Children of the Naksa", hemmed in by humiliation, have spent so much of our lives uncomfortably stepping into pride's large, empty shoes.

But here now finally are our children – Generation Facebook – kicking aside the burden of history, determined to show us just how easy it is to tell the dictator it's time to go.

Murder in Uganda -- Stop U.S. pastors from exporting bigotry

Dear Stephanie, Stop exporting hate. Stand with HRC's Religion and Faith program. Tell American right-wingers to stop hateful proselytizing in Africa. Sign our petition now. U.S. pastors are exporting bigotry to Uganda, with brutal results. This is an issue close to my heart, because I've spent over a decade working for equality as a lay leader in my own church, and now, as acting director of HRC's Religion and Faith program – which helps religious leaders of all stripes speak out for equality and fight back when hatred is promoted in the name of religion. On Thursday, that perversion of faith cost Ugandan gay rights advocate David Kato his life. He was bludgeoned to death in his home after his name was among those listed in an anti-gay magazine, under the headline "Hang them!" Since at least 2009, radical U.S. Christian missionaries have added anti-gay conferences and workshops in Uganda to their anti-gay efforts in the U.S. – and now they're beginning to ordain ministers and build churches across East Africa focused almost entirely on preaching against homosexuality. These American extremists didn't call for David's death. But they created a climate of hate that breeds violence – and they must stop and acknowledge they were wrong. "Stop Exporting Hate." Sign our petition to Carl Ellis Jenkins, Lou Engle, and Scott Lively. We'll deliver your signature to three men who have gone out of their way to promote hatred: Scott Lively of Massachusetts held an anti-gay conference in Uganda with two other U.S. pastors. A few months later, a bill was introduced in Uganda that would make homosexuality punishable by death. Lou Engle, a Missouri preacher whose rallies draw tens of thousands in the U.S., spoke at a rally in Uganda this year that focused on praying for the bill's passage. (Engle claims not to support some parts of the bill, but internal documents show he came to speak about "the threat of homosexuality," and defend the Ugandan government's efforts to "curb the growth of the vice using the law.") And Carl Ellis Jenkins of Georgia is presiding over a group that's opening 50 new churches in Uganda to "help clean up bad morals, including homosexuality" according to his staff. They have been stirring up hostility in a country where homosexuality is already illegal, violent attacks are common, rape is used to 'cure' people of their sexual orientation – and a shocking law has been proposed that would make homosexuality punishable by life imprisonment or even death. And they're in lockstep with some of the largest and wealthiest right-wing groups in the U.S. When the U.S. Congress considered a resolution denouncing the grotesque Ugandan death-penalty-for-gays bill, the extreme-right Family Research Council – now classified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center – spent $25,000 lobbying to stop the resolution from passing. Religion should never be used to spread hate. These men do not speak for me or the millions of diverse religious people who support equality not in spite of our faith, but because of it That's what our Religion and Faith program is all about: helping people of faith from all different traditions speak out so we can reclaim the core religious values we hold dear in America. At the heart of every religious tradition is love of humanity and love of creator – not hatred for our neighbors. Creating a climate of hate runs contrary to the very idea of faith – but that's exactly what the right wing in America is doing. Tell missionaries and radical hate groups: "Stop exporting hate." Whether or not we're people of faith, we cannot stay silent or stand idly by while a radical minority pushes a hateful agenda in God's name. Please stand with us and speak out today. Sincerely, Sharon Groves Religion and Faith Program  Share on Facebook  Share on Twitter This link is specific to you, so please take action before you forward to your friends. Having trouble clicking on the links above? Simply copy and paste this URL into your browser's address bar to reach the action page: https://secure3.convio.net/hrc/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1013

© 2011 The Human Rights Campaign. All rights reserved. Human Rights Campaign | http://www.hrc.org/ 1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036-3278 Phone: 202/628-4160 TTY: 202/216-1572 Fax: 202/347-5323

Share Your Ideas for Boot Camp

Three Ways You Can Shape Boot Camp 2011 We need your help to uncover compelling challenges, issues and stories of success and innovation that you want to explore at Boot Camp. Here are three ways you can share your ideas: 1. We’re prioritizing session ideas using a game format. You can play as many times as you like. You’ll see two options. Choose your favorite. And you can add your own ideas at any time. Try it now. 2. Suggest a topic, speaker, or activity using our easy online form. 3. Propose a subject of your own. Have an idea for a discussion, presentation, activity or experience? – we want to hear about it. Submit a proposal using our easy online form. Boot Camp is June 2 - Mark Your Calendars! We’re excited to bring Boot Camp back to San Francisco after a few years in Berkeley. Boot Camp will be held June 2, 2011 at the UCSF Mission Bay Campus in San Francisco. Read more about the venue and Boot Camp or check out our FAQs. Tickets will go on sale in March and this venue WILL sell out, so mark your calendar! Like to know what Craigslist Foundation is up to? Get timely updates from us by friending or following us: facebook | twitter | linkedin

On the Ground in Egypt, Tunisia

Follow us on           January 28, 2011   On the Ground in Egypt, Tunisia Human Rights Watch Teams Documenting Abuses Dear Stephanie, As violent protests unfurl across Egypt, and Tunisians grapple with the ugly legacies of President President  Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali’s rule, Human Rights Watch has teams on the ground in both countries, working around the clock to document abuses and record the facts as they unfold. In Alexandria, Egypt, Human Rights Watch witnessed the following: “After prayers, the protesters came out of a mosque and started shouting slogans. They were saying "peaceful, peaceful" and raising their hands. They were immediately attacked by police in an armored car, firing teargas.” Two hours later: “Then the police just gave up, at about the time of afternoon prayers. Protesters gave water to police and talked to them. It was all peaceful.” Our researchers have also been sending updates on the violent crackdown on protests from Cairo and Suez.   In Tunisia, Human Rights Watch documented instances in which police fired live ammunition into crowds of demonstrators – information that can help identify the killers, hold them accountable, and bring justice to their victims. In times of crisis, we’re on the front lines. Live updates from our team in Egypt >> The revolt in Tunisia >>     Anti-government protesters face riot police in Tahrir Square in Cairo on January 25, 2011. © 2011 Reuters Human Rights Watch has teams on the ground in both Egypt and Tunisia, working around the clock to document abuses and record the facts as they unfold.   Home | Take Action | Donate Privacy

Book Tour Gratitude, 63 Cities Later

me

show details Jan 27 (1 day ago)

January 27, 2011 Book Tour Gratitude, 63 Cities Later Thanks so much to everyone out there who was a part of the 63-city Unconventional Book Tour, which just wrapped up in beautiful Vancouver last weekend. We're working on a bigger project to document the whole experience for everyone, but for now I just wanted to express my gratefulness. While I've been touring, I've been learning a lot more about the publishing industry. People have asked me, over and over, "What's the verdict on the tour? Was it worth it?" Worth is a curious word. When some people talk about worth, they're obviously referring to money. Technically speaking, it wasn't "worth it" to go to every state and every province to meet readers. I paid more for the tour than I was paid to write the book. But if we look at worth in terms of value and adventure, it's a much easier conversation. Under that analysis, the verdict is that it was totally, 100% worth it. I would do it again tomorrow. Next time I want to do a 7-continent book tour. Most authors don't tour at all now, or if they do, there are all kinds of conditions -- "I'll go to your city if you agree to purchase 200 books in advance" is one common condition. Well, no one bought 200 books from me in Fargo or Little Rock or Newfoundland or any other number of small stops, but they were incredibly rewarding visits regardless. Speaking of the publishing industry, I hear a lot of fairly negative conversation about its current state. Perhaps I'm still naīve about the process, but if I'm naīve about four months of touring 63 cities, I'm not sure what would cause me to be less enthusiastic. You mean I get paid to write another book? I'd do it for free. (Don't tell my publishers.) Print books are dead? I signed thousands of this one on the tour, and translations in a dozen languages will be going out all over the world this year. Book readings are boring? At ours we had cupcakes, afterparties, liquor (thanks, Houston), short talks, and long conversations. Mostly, we had fun, amazing people who took the time to come out and make it a much better experience for all. So yes, it's been great and I'll gladly do it again. If you love something, you have to protect it. That's what I intend to do, wherever and however I can. Thanks again for being part of the journey, either physically or virtually. Tour photos (from many stops) are here. For everyone outside North America, I hope to head your direction as well at some point. Always choose adventure. It usually works out very well, and if it doesn't, well, at least you had the chance to go to Fargo. P.S. I was supposed to use today's update to tell you more about the new Travel Hacking Cartel. I'll now do that in a special update on Sunday, but if you're interested, you can learn more about it here. Most of the billing issues we encountered on launch day are now resolved. We sold out of the first 1,000 memberships that morning, but we're still offering a recording of the bonus webinar for everyone who joins by February 1st. ### -->click here to view or share comments You can follow me on Twitter here You can join AONC on Facebook here Image: Vancouver! By Holly       A Small Shop with Big Plans for Fun People click here to get it or learn more click here to get it or learn more click here to get it or learn more click here to get it or learn more click here to get it or learn more A Brief Guide to World Domination 279 Days to Overnight Success A Short Collection of Unconventional Ideas Why You Should Quit Your Job and Travel Around the World Why People Hate Marketers Ever Feel Like Giving Up?                           The Art of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau Web: http://chrisguillebeau.com Twitter: @chrisguillebeau Snail Mail: 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214

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Travel Hackers of the World, Unite

	January 25, 2011 Travel Hackers of the World, Unite Greetings, friends and readers. As promised, today is the initial launch of my new Travel Hacking Cartel. The goal of the project is to democratize free and low-cost travel for thousands of our members all over the world. -->You can learn more or sign up here for the special preboarding phase here *** How It Works We're welcoming an initial 1,000 members during the preboarding phase. In addition to being extra-special, these inaugural members will get access to a live webinar I'll produce next month on "8 Ways to Travel for Free in 2011." Cartel membership is global; some things are easier in the U.S., but you can still earn miles and redeem them for great awards wherever you live. Travel hacking does not require you to get a lot of credit cards. There are three tiers to membership, and all of them include a 14-day $1 trial. After the first 1,000 people join the cartel, we can't offer the live webinar anymore, but we'll send the webinar recording out to everyone who joins before February 1st. We'll also be supporting our new cartel members in helping them make referrals to their friends. (All cartel members will be able to earn 500 Frequent Flyer Miles for sending us aspiring traveling hackers.) A Few Notes on the Launch Travel hacking isn't for everyone. We've produced what we call the "World's Greatest Guarantee," where all our members can earn enough miles for one plane ticket every quarter, regardless of where they live. This requires a bit of work on our members' part -- not a lot, but at least 30 minutes a month. If you're not up for that, no worries, but this project won't help you. Also, if you prefer to pay full price when traveling, don't bother with the cartel. We focus exclusively on giving the advantage to the traveler instead of the travel companies. In addition to signing up directly, you can also support one of our 45 (carefully-selected) affiliate partners who are promoting this offer today. To do that, just click on one of their links from various reviews and endorsements all over the internet, and follow the process from there. We've been building this project for months, and everything for the site is completely custom. We're expecting a massive wave of travel hackers joining up for the preboarding phase this week -- so if the site is down when you click, or if something doesn't work the way it should, try again in a couple of hours. I greatly appreciate Reese, Nicky, and Sean helping to get this up and running after months of development. And I also appreciate you for reading AONC, whether you care about travel hacking or not. Happy cartel preboarding day! I'll be manning the fort from World Domination HQ in Portland. It's a good thing I have a very large French press of good coffee on my desk...  -->Aspiring travel hackers, head over here  ### -->click here to view or share comments You can follow me on Twitter here You can join AONC on Facebook here       A Small Shop with Big Plans for Fun People click here to get it or learn more click here to get it or learn more click here to get it or learn more click here to get it or learn more click here to get it or learn more A Brief Guide to World Domination 279 Days to Overnight Success A Short Collection of Unconventional Ideas Why You Should Quit Your Job and Travel Around the World Why People Hate Marketers Ever Feel Like Giving Up?
	The Art of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau Web: http://chrisguillebeau.com Twitter: @chrisguillebeau Snail Mail: 4110 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214

Hollywood unites for persecuted Iranian filmmaker

Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis ("Million Dollar Baby", "Crash") and actress Nazanin Boniadi are leading the charge in Hollywood to shine a light with Amnesty International on distinguished Iranian film director Jafar Panahi. Tell Iran to reverse its harsh sentence imposed on acclaimed film director Jafar Panahi.

You are forbidden from making movies for 20 years. Do not write scripts. Do not travel outside of the country. Do not speak with the media. Do not express your oppositional political opinions. These are the outrageous conditions tacked on to acclaimed Iranian film director Jafar Panahi's six-year prison sentence. Last month, Panahi was sentenced after being convicted of making an anti-government film without permission and inciting opposition protests after the disputed 2009 presidential election1. Anyone who values free expression cannot afford to turn away from this blatant and unjust punishment. As a fellow filmmaker, I certainly could not. That is why I, along with British-Iranian actress and Amnesty International spokesperson Nazanin Boniadi, are leading the charge in condemning Jafar Panahi's sentence. Please join us - do not allow creativity to be condemned in Iran. Jafar Panahi's case resonates on many levels with so many great artists, activists and talents around the world including Martin Scorsese, Sean Penn, Harvey Weinstein, Roxana Saberi, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Sir Patrick Stewart, Hans Zimmer, Deepa Mehta, Susan Sarandon, Ridley Scott and many, many more. His most recent film "Offside" tells the story of girls in Iran who are forbidden by law to watch a World Cup soccer match. Unique and powerful stories like this one deserve to be told. Brave voices like Jafar Panahi's are worth fighting for. Carrying the torch for Jafar Panahi will also light the way for Panahi's artistic collaborator, Mohammad Rasoulof - who was also sentenced to six years in prison - and the countless other creative voices being silenced in Iran today. Call on Iranian officials to reverse the harsh sentences against Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof. Thank you for helping us shine a light.   Paul Haggis Filmmaker ("Million Dollar Baby", "Crash") for Amnesty International   Nazanin Boniadi Actress and spokesperson for Amnesty International 1. http://blog.amnestyusa.org/middle-east/distinguished-iranian-film-director-jafar-panahi-receives-preposterous-sentence/ If you have a question or comment, please use our interactive online help system. Subscribe to our RSS feeds. © Copyright 2011 | Amnesty International USA | 5 Penn Plaza | New York, NY 10001 | 212.807.8400