Author Archives: debmcalister

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About debmcalister

I'm a Dallas-based marketing consultant and writer, who specializes in helping start-up technology companies grow. I write (books, articles, and blogs) about marketing, technology, and social media. This blog is about all of those -- and the funny ways in which they interesect with everyday life. It's also the place where I publish general articles on topics that interest me -- including commentary about the acting and film communities, since I have both a son and grandson who are performers.

Hire a Babysitter! Grandma’s Advice for Young Parents

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One of my New Zealand friends, photographer Desmond Downs, recently posted this video on YouTube. Anyone who’s hiked the Tongariro trail would be as appalled as I am at the actions of the young mother who took that walk with … Continue reading

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How to Increase Traffic for Your Blog: What Worked for Me

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At the end of every year, I try to look back at what I did right – and what I did wrong – in writing, promoting, and managing my blog. One of the first things I look at are the … Continue reading

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Are Casting Hub & Its Cousins Fooling Would-Be Child Stars?

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My blog normally gets about 300 visitors per day. But one post on scammers who prey on children’s dreams, published in March, 2013, has had more than 100,000 readers. It’s not the only post on on the subject of helping a child smitten with … Continue reading

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Thoughts About Karma & Payback

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I feel like a terrible person. Here it is, freezing cold, and some of my neighbors are without power, while others have seriously damaged cars and homes. My house is fine, and so is my car, thanks in large part … Continue reading

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Why Great Authors Are Turning to Kickstarter

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This morning, I distributed a press release for Nebula award-winning fantasy and science fiction writer Elizabeth Ann Scarborough about the Kickstarter campaign she’s launched to help fund her  next novel. If you aren’t yet a fan of this amazing writer … Continue reading

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Resources for Parents of Dallas Child Actors

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Ever since I posted a blog post about a year ago about my struggles with my grandson’s acting career, people have been asking me questions. The most common one is, “How do I get my child into acting?” I’m not … Continue reading

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Invented Here: TedX at the Winspeare Opera House Dec. 6!

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I’m starting to get excited about the TedX Turtle Creek Women event on December 6. My friend Cynthia Heyn is one of the organizers, and like everything she’s part of it’s sure to be professional and well organized. This year’s … Continue reading

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Survey Says: Don’t Make These Survey Mistakes

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I just finished a two-part series on using surveys effectively in PR and social media for my client, MyPRGenie. Although I seldom link from my personal blog to client projects, this article seemed to me to be worth sharing. You … Continue reading

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Social Media and Online Privacy: Did We Celebrate Too Soon?

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Remember last year when everybody on Facebook got all upset because some employers and colleges were asking applicants for social media passwords, and then judging them by what they had posted? State lawmakers around the country spotted an election year … Continue reading

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5 Things Parents of Would-be Child Stars Need to Know

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When you have a child who catches acting fever, there is no cure. So strap yourself in for a long, strange roller-coaster ride! Recently, our resident 12-year-old actor attended a workshop taught by 20-year-old actress Jennifer Stone.  You probably know … Continue reading

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