Ever log into Facebook and feel like you're seeing the same people's updates? Nobody knows Facebook's algorithm that determines which updates to display, but they are not all of your friends. However, you can change this and here is how...

Lots of changes have been happening in my life lately.  Let's start with the most exciting thing, my wife and I are expecting our first child in less than six weeks - it's coming fast! 

As for the business, Hipfluence's growth was getting to a point where I needed to have some outside assistance on larger projects. After collaborating on a few projects with another firm here in San Diego, I decided it was best for my clients if I had a more formal arrangement between the two companies. Thus, effective December 1, 2009, I moved into the role as Vice President/Director of Sales for Chief Ingredient, Inc.

Hipfluence is not dissolving or merging with Chief Ingredient, Inc., but will instead focus on consulting services for small businesses where all other projects will be handled by the team in place at Chief Ingredient, Inc. This new structure allows for greater resources and capabilities to offer all clients.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to me directly.

Photo: Mashable.comWe only feel compelled to talk about this because we find the battle amusing. In case your out of the loop, we'll get you up to speed.

Verizon Wireless launched a series of ads over the past couple of weeks that slam AT&T's 3G coverage. It started with the iPhone spoof "there's a map for that" ad. They launched a few others, and personally we like the "island of misfit toys" ad the best.

AT&T felt the ads were misleading and took Verizon to court. Today, the courts didn't agree with AT&T. So AT&T has fired back with their own ads, like this one.

What's your thoughts? Do you agree with the courts? What ad do you like best? Our loyalty is with the iPhone, thus we are AT&T customers but we still vote for "the island of misfit toys" ad by Verizon Wireless.

Photo: Inman NewsAn interesting article was posted today on popular real estate news site, Inman News, with the headline: "Real Estate Celebrity is Dead: Today's Marketing is all About Going Viral." While intended for real estate agents, the concepts in this article also apply to most businesses - small and large.

Social media is important to all businesses.  For real estate agents, gone are the days where agents get new clients by plastering their heads across town on billboards and bus signs and proclaiming how they are #1. The article states that Generation X and Y buyers and sellers don't care about expertise, they trust their own research and they want a real estate agent who is recommended by their peers.  What better way to get recommendations then by creating new groups of 'friends' on online social media sites? The article also states that more than anything else, people want their agents to listen to their needs and be responsive to them. That means asking questions, finding out what's important to them and exploring how their clients live their lives.  While most social media users would be annoyed at obvious blasting of real estate messages, they appreciate useful information and helpful advice. Agents are encouraged not to blast messages about how great they are, but to provide tips and tricks and links to articles or websites that interest their clients.

Web 2.0 or social media has really transformed the world of advertising and marketing.  With the popularity of the web, we now go online for information and expect to get it for free. To become a trusted resource for potential clients or customers, we need to contribute by providing information and becoming a prominent source for information.  This applies to real estate, small business, large business and everywhere online.

Do you find what people post on Twitter to be a bunch of babble? One university couldn't agree with you more. In fact, they are now requiring all their journalism majors to learn Twitter education as part of the mandatory courseload.