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Top 5 must - read books to become a marketing guru

Marketing is an integral part of today’s reality. No matter what you do, you need to have basic marketing skills. Here is a list of five books that will help you to become a marketing guru. 

Marketing is an integral part of today’s reality. No matter what you do, you need to have basic marketing skills. Here is a list of five books that will help you to become a marketing guru. 

Principles of Marketing by Philip Kotler – even though it’s one of the oldest books on marketing it’s still worth reading it. If you don’t have enough time to read the entire book, just scheme it or at least memorize the title and some quotes. So, you could mention them next time when you are trying to get that desired marketing job.

#AskGaryVee by Gary Vaynerchuk – is one of the best marketers. He managed to grow his parents business from $3 M to $60 M. I love that he is always gives practical advice with great examples. If you are tired of jibber jabber and want to know the truth about harsh world of marketing, this book is for you.  

Steal like an artist by Austin Kleon – amazing inspirational book. It will help you to believe in your powers and you can finally start perusing your goals.

Permission Marketing by Seth Godin – this guy is personally my favourite. I’ve been to his lecture in Toronto recently and was amazed by his personality. He is extremely smart and has a wonderful sense of humor. I’ve read almost all of his books.

Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson – a great read for everyone who wants to start their one business one day. However, even if your goal is just to get more Instagram followers, this book will most certainly help you with that. 

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Top five schools to become a digital nerd

Nowadays it’s essential to know the basics of technology, design and marketing. Fortunately, Toronto is a place to be as there are plenty of schools that will help you to become a tech savvy. Learn from the industry professionals and never miss that perfect job opportunity again. FYI, all schools on the list below have free workshops.

Brainstation – is located on King Street West with a cozy café on the ground floor where you can enjoy delicious drip coffee. Brainstation always invites the best professionals for the workshops. I’ve been to couple of them myself. One of my favourites was a workshop on SEO. It was very helpful with a lot of real life examples. So, if you are into marketing like me, you should check out Brainstaion.

Lighthouse Labs – is a co-working space. It is known for the amazing bootcamps for non-tech people who want to become developers. So, if you aim for Google or at least Pivotal Labs this is the right place to start with.

Bitmaker Labs – is similar to Brainstation but more tech oriented. I went to their intro to Web development and UX/UI workshops. Even though I had no experience in this field I was able to keep up with the assignments and got very good results at the end.  

Ladies learning code – is another pace where you can become a tech savvy. This school organises a lot of free workshops for ladies who want to code.

Lynda – last but not least is this online school. This is definitely my favourite on.  First of all, it’s an online course, and so you can chose the time that works the best for you. Second of all, Toronto Library card gives you free access to Lynda.com. I’ve already completed the entire Photography course, some Illustrator and Digital Marketing courses. So far, I’m 100 % satisfied with these online courses.

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Top five shows to watch when you are feeling down

Even though I try to spread joy, sometimes it’s hard to stay positive. When it happens, I just to turn on one of my favourite TV shows to cheer myself up. It always works 100%, just don’t get too addicted. So, here is a list of the TV shows that spread positive vibes.

Friends – definitely the best cure for anxiety. The plot is simple: 6 friends help each other to cope with everyday problems while drinking coffee at Central Perk. Even though the show is rather straight forward, there is something magical about it. Maybe because of the amazing atmosphere of the 90s or simply the views of NYC at the begging of each episode.

How I met your mother – another show that pictures NYC. The main character, Ted Mosby, is telling a story to his kids of how he met their mother. Of course it all happened thanks to ups and downs of his love life and with the help of his 4 best friends. Again, the plot is very simple but maybe because of this simplicity it is so easy to just relax and enjoy this show.

Big Bang Theory – is a show that boosted my interest to science. It’s hilarious watching 4 nerds trying to pick up girls, debating about comic books and taking about physics. Definitely one of the best shows of all times.

Sex and the City – I know it’s mostly for girls but I am a girl so it’s here. This show is about 4 girlfriends exploring love and sex life in NYC while buying fancy shoes and going to cocktail parties. It might be a bit shallow but it’s nice to concentrate on Carries Bradshaw life instead of worries about real problems.  

Vampire Diaries – last but not least is this vampire show. Even though its target audience is teenage girls, I still love it. Everybody has a guilty pleasure – for me it’s Vampire diaries. This shows is about a young girl, Elena Gilbert, who is so charming that everyone falls in love with her. Even two handsome vampire brother are fighting for her love. It’s every girls dream to be that desirable, so it’s nice to imagine yourself in Elena’s shoes.  Besides it’s about vampires, immortal creatures with amazing strength and beauty. So, what’s not to like about this show?

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Top five classes to free your creativity

If you feel like doing something creative and don’t know where to start from, then this article is for you. Here is a list of five activities that will boost your creativity.

Acroyoga – this is a combination of yoga and acrobatics. It might be a bit tricky at first but once you grasp the basics you’ll feel amazing. You will gain control of your entire body and will lose some unwanted pounds.

Painting – I love reading about art but I’ve realised that if I continue only reading about it I will never become an artist. That is why, now I prefer to create rather than observe. Even though I don’t have any education in this area. I just take a pencil and create sketches without carrying too much about their quality. Another option is to attend painting classes in Toronto (they cost around 20CAD per lesson). If you are more into digital world, you can just create your masterpieces in Illustrator.

Dancing – is a great way to express yourself and at the same time to stay in shape. It costs around 20 CAD per class. Check out Groupon for even cheaper options. Choose the style that suits you the best and dive into the art of dance. I prefer contemporary dance but there is also salsa, bachata, tango, dancehall and etc.

Guitar lessons – actually It doesn’t matter which instrument you choose as long as you enjoy playing it. It can be rather challenging at first, but it is one of the best ways to free your creative potential. Believe me, you’ll never regret taking music lessons.

Sewing – as a child I’ve always wanted to become a fashion designer. Even though I chose another field, I decided to take sewing lessons. I know there is a little chance to become the next Yve Saint Laurent, but at least I enjoy the process of creating something unique.

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Top musicians that Canada can be proud of

I know that everyone expects to see another article about Drake or Bieber.  But this article is about amazing alternative bands based in Canada. If you have never heard of them, then it’s a high time to get to know these great musicians.

Death from above 1979 – a rock duo from Toronto. Their last album The Physical World has been on my play list since 2014 and I’m not planning to delete it any time soon. Genres – noise rock, dance punk.

Fucked up – another great band from Toronto. I’ve recently discovered them and since this time I can’t stop listening to their killer tunes. Genres – hardcore punk, post-hardcore, punk rock.

Protest the Hero –these guys are from Whitby and they are absolutely amazing. I’ve been to there concert, and I was greatly impressed. Genres – progressive metal, metal core.

Japandroids – a cool rock band from Vancouver. I fell in love with their last album Celebration Rock. Genres – punk rock, noise rock, post-punk, garage rock, indie rock.

Silverstein – a post-harcore band from Burlington. I’ve been listening to these guys for a long time and hope to go to their concert soon. Genres – hardcore punk, emo, post-hardcore.

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Top five music venues in Toronto

After a tough working week it’s nice to meet up with friends and listen to some cool tunes. Below is the list of the five coolest music venues in Toronto.

Lee’s Palace – definitely my favourite venue. Firstly, it’s located in the Annex area, which I simply adore. Secondly, it has a nice punk vibe. Lastly, it was used in one of the scenes of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World movie. If you’ve never been there, it’s a high time to do so.

Phoenix Concert Theatre – the area where it’s located it not very safe but the venue itself is great. It has a nice sound system and a lot of space. That’s why many legendary bands choose Phoenix Concert Theatre for their performances.

Horseshoe Tavern – a nice cozy bar on Queen Street West. It is always filled with interesting people who are into alternative music. All of them are very friendly, so if you feel lonely this would be your best choice to listen to killer tunes and meet amazing people.

Sneaky Dees – another legendary bar. Unfortunately, many people stick to the first floor where they can eat delicious nachos and have a pint of beer. I totally understand them as these nachos are one of the best in Toronto. But don’t forget to check out the second floor!  Since that’s where the real fun is going on. Fridays are the best as right after the concert you can stay for Homesick event and enjoy some cool punk-rock tunes and cheap drinks (for only 3 CAD).

Hard Luck Bar – if you are into hard rock then it’s definitely the right place for you. I always go there to let go of some stress and aggression by slamming together with the crowd. Drinks are relatively cheap too (around 6 CAD for a beer). I highly recommend this venue for hard core lovers.

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Five places in Downtown Toronto where I prefer to work on my freelance projects

When it comes to freelance projects, I like working on them in some cozy places with a nice environment and a hot cup of coffee.  

Starbucks/Second Cup/Aroma Espresso Bar – great if I just want to get lost in the crowd. These cafes are always crowed. So, it’s perfect if you are not in the mood for any attention and just want to work on your laptop and drink some coffee. All of these places have free WiFi.  

Libraries – I prefer Toronto Reference library because it’s huge and close to my house. Though I’m sure that any library will work. Free WiFi and a quiet atmosphere makes it perfect for some serious projects.

MaRsDiscoveryDistrict – perfect to work on your projects and get some inspiration from the environment. You can meet many interesting people working on startup projects, who could inspire you to use your talents/hobbies and create something of your own. Free WiFi is included.

Ryerson Learning Center– cool place to study or work on your projects. A cool thing about this place is themed floors. For example, level six in known as “the beach”, fifth floor – “the Sun”, fourth floor – “the garden” and etc. The only problem with Ryerson Learning Center is WiFi. If you need to use it you will have to join students EDUROAM network, which can be a problem if you are no longer a student. Either than that this place is amazing.

Co-working spaces – if you work on a specific project, which requires time and a permanent space, then it’s better to rent a co-working place. The prices vary from 300 CAD to 500 CAD per month. This is a great deal for startups.

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Top five places to eat in Downtown Toronto. Cheap and healthy

Cooking at home is cheap and healthy but with a crazy schedule that I have it’s hard to find time for cooking. So, I have to eat outside, which is also a good option, especially if you know the right places.

Sushi on Bloor – has an amazing lunch special deal from 12 pm to 3 pm on Weekends and from 12 pm to 5 pm on Weekdays. This deal includes 2 rolls, a soup and a salad for only 6.99 CAD + tax. It also includes complimentary hot green tea.

Longos – when I’m too lazy to cook, I just buy something from their salad section.  It’s not too much food, but everything is fresh. It’s a perfect dinner after a working out session.

El Furniture Warehouse – not as healthy as two previous places, but it’s great to eat out with friends. For only 4.95 CAD + tax you get a juicy hamburger and fries or salad. Besides, this place has a nice vibe with skateboard decks on the walls and cool surfing videos.

Domino’s Pizza – not too healthy, but it’s perfect if you are extremely hungry. For 5 CAD you can get a small pizza and a pop.

HoSu Bistro – I prefer their take out menu: chicken teriyaki and a pop for only 7 CAD if you pay cash.

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Top five shops where I buy clothes cheap

I always want to look good but with this economy it’s hard to spend as much money on clothes as I would want to. Good news! These shops helped me to stay in style and in budget.

Old Navy – the best part is all year round discounts. Being part of GAP Corporation Old Navy offers good quality for little money. Suitable for all ages with no bright colors and brand labels.

Winners – a wide range of brands from casual to exquisite of goods in stock and they are refilled every day.  For example you can find your favourite Calvin Klein underwear with 80% discount.

Kind Exchange – chance to find good brands for decent prize, besides you get extra points to your karma for helping a good cause.  

Asos – free delivery around the world with discounts all year round. The only disadvantage is that you can’t try the clothes on. Other than that it’s perfect!

Forever 21 – famous American brand that offers clothes for young generation. For less than $100 you can buy an entire outfit for a girl’s night out.

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Top five mobile apps that improved my productivity

It is so damn hard for me to stay organized with so many distractions. Good news, these mobile apps helped me to stay focused and increase my productivity.

Trello – will help you to plan, set and monitor tasks. You can also share the task board with other people and work on a specific task together.  

Sunrise – calendar with intuitive interface that will allow to perfectly plan your day. It is easily synchronized with your google contacts.

Dropbox – you can save your files of different sizes on the cloud, open them on different devices and share with your friends, colleagues or business partners.

Google Docs/Google Sheets/Google Slides – forget about Microsoft Office. Use cloud based applications on all your devices to create txt documents, spread sheets and even fancy presentations.

Pocket – I’m pretty sure that you have no time for reading articles during working hours or during relaxing time with your significant other. However, you have plenty of time to waste while traveling with TTC. Pocket allows you to save interesting articles and videos to enjoy during your commute. Best of all you don’t need to use your data to access them.  

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Top five websites for Job Hunting

My holidays were super exciting but now it’s time to get back to work. Unfortunately I’m in between jobs at the moment, so this list will be extremely helpful.

LinkedIn – major companies tend to use this platform as the main job board to search for the right candidates. I would recommend you to update your profile regularly and get ready to choose the employer that is the right fit for you.

Indeed – the most popular resource to search for various kinds of jobs in the world.  I would recommend you upload your resume and install mobile app which will save you a great amount of time.

Glassdoor – thanks to this website you can see new vacancies, companies’ ratings and read the reviews from former employees. If you decide to register, you will get access to information about average salaries within specific company.

Craigslist – is famous as a platform to sell and exchange goods but you can also use it in terms of job search. It is especially useful for people that are interested in part-time and seasonal jobs, such as bartenders, guest services representatives, sales associates and others.

Twitter – is incredibly useful for business purposes. Many people find business partners, clients or free-lance contractors with the help of Twitter. I would recommend following the companies where you would want to work and users that recruit for specific industry.

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Top five presents for my best friends

My friends mean a world to me, but sometimes it’s so hard to find the right present for them. Here is a list of all the cool stuff that made my friends head over hills with happiness.

Ukulele – a compact guitar that you can take anywhere and enjoy its relaxing sound in a cozy company.

Sticker Personal Tracker – with this device you will never lose your home keys again! Simply put it on the things that you want to track: phone, gloves, favourite bag or even your cat. I’ve tried it and I loved it! 

Smart Sticker – this customizable real time display will help you to check weather forecast, e-mail and many other things without using your smart phone. 

Google Cardboard – a cheap way to get access to VR. If your friend is in to high tech he will definitely appreciate this one. 

Jukely Subscription – for only $25 a month you get access to unlimited music concerts around Toronto and New York. If your friend is a music lover then it is perfect.  After a hard week he can grab a beer listening to a cool band and can enjoy concerts. Even if does not dream of a music career it’s a good one.