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Being a kid in the late 80′s and 90′s as fun. Kids today don’t do anything but surf the Internet, but when we were young we had to play outside and be creative. And even if we did stay inside, being online for 24 hours wasn’t something we could do. We’re not saying it was better to be a kid then, but it sure beat being lazy and stalking Facebook all day because we did things like this.

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YouTube, Twitter, and Pinterest have dramatically changed all of our lives. We now live in a world filled with more opportunities to both retrieve and create information. When it particularly comes to the entertainment business, new and social media have played a critical role in the advancement of new ideas, faces, and stories. Over the past couple of decades, the Internet has spawned a long list of Web entrepreneurs make up a vanguard of leaders you should pay close attention to. Here are superior examples of why the entertainment business should be online — and on the lookout — now.

AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes

From Essence

Comedic actress Issa Rae, who is best known as the creator and star of The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl, is opening up about the pilot for her new TV show, I Hate LA Dudes.

The highly anticipated new show is a collaboration with Scandal creator Shonda Rhimes, and it’s name is no joke.

“I really do hate them,” says Rae in a recent interview with Vulture. “I hate the guys. I hate the mentality they have. Everyone’s so chillaxed, the way they speak and carry themselves. They’re very much laid-back in the sense that they feel like they don’t have to pursue you. Especially this generation, they don’t really court women anymore.”

Well, that sounds like some men everywhere! You can get more inside scoop about the show, including whether or not Issa will actually star in the show, over on Essence.

Are you a fan of The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl series? Will you be watching the new show when it hits ABC?

When it comes to Mia Ray’s Glam-Aholic Lifestyle brand, there’s no heavily-layered business plan to back up the growth. Like many entrepreneurs in this flexible and creative business era, she started with a small idea that would potentially lead to greater opportunities. Sticking to where consumers are found in the greatest numbers — the web and social media — Ray turned a blog (Confessions of a Glam-Aholic) into a brand and, most recently, a hair extensions line: Same Girl Different Hair.

“When I started the blog it was a snowball effect. More and more people would reach out and tell me they read it or purchased something that I suggested,” said Ray. “It was surreal. After that the brand came along and it took off.”

Before she launched her blog site in 2009, Ray worked as boutique buyer. Juggling countless odd jobs prior to that, working as a buyer was her official break into fashion. Soon after a friend encouraged her to transpose her fashion sense and tips — which she kept in a notebook — onto a blog.

“That really gave me a boost of confidence. From there I thought, ‘Okay I can handle this. This is what I’ve been hoping for’,” Ray said.

When Confessions of a Glam-Aholic gained a solid following, Ray added a shop component to the brand (via glamaholiclifestyle.com) and began selling shirts, bags and key chains with the Glam-Aholic word logo.  Teaming up with an established friend in fashion and entertainment Ray reached out and sent shirts to celebrities that she thought would identify with the brand. Her “Same Girl Different Hair” shirt turned out to be a smash as former 106 & Park host Rocsi Diaz, Marsha Ambrosius, Angela Simmons, the OMG Girlz and others wore it.

“I was getting orders from everywhere; NY, California, and Florida. I’m really in-tune with social media and people always told me how much they loved the movement. I don’t want to say it was an overnight success, but it was,” Ray admits.

Source: WorldStarHipHop

Whenever I see something ignorant – be it on television or in real life – my first instinct is to yell out “WorldStarHipHop” – all one word – even if I don’t have a camera.

Seriously, that site is where the pinnacle of debauchery and other questionable human behavior. Yet it is so hard to look away. Yeah I know, I am part of the problem; however according to the 500 million impressions the site owner reportedly says he gets a day, I know for a statistical fact, that I am not the only one. We try to honor our morals and convictions and boycott the site. However all it takes is for someone to post via social networking a WorldStar link with a catchy title like Stripper Eats It Hard When Pole Splits Into Two and you’re like, Oh Hell, ain’t nothing going on at my work desk right now, let me just turn down the volume and see this real quick...One hour and fifteen minutes later, you have just witnessed and perused through hours of videos of a man a chicken; a butt unclothed man tearing up a gas station while another man, recording him, sings very humorously Black Man Don’t Care; and an instructional video on how to have sex on an giant exercise ball.

The videotaped beatings are the most interesting; particularly the sheer audacity and ignorance of some in these videos, who are willing to not only capture these beatings on tape but upload them for the whole world to witness as they, more often than not, commit a crime. Talk about dry-snitching. And what exactly do you get from all this attention besides a nice photo for police and the prosecutors and the fleeting moment of being a world star? I guess it is worth it for some.

For instance, Jaden Ethridge, a high school student, who submitted a video to WSHH of him, “smacking a heaux” after an intense lunchroom argument spills into the school’s hallway. In the video we see Ethridge anxiously arguing with an anonymous young woman, whose face has been blurred. While we don’t know what sparked this argument, what we can gather is that Ethridge is annoyed with his female opponents threats, including daring the young man to hit her, and warns her that, “if I gets mad, you’re going to get smacked.” After a few more nonsensical exchanges, the video fades to black screen and the audio cues to the intro of “Smack Dat Heaux,” in which Soulja Boy, a child himself advises other young men around the world to “pimp smack that heaux…get your respect, you feel me?” The visual portion of the video returns and Ethridge is now knuckling up with who I believe is the same blurry face girl from the cafeteria. In one of his flurry of wild punches, he manages to catch the anonymous girl across the head, which is then rewound and mixed to a chorus of “pimp smack that heaux.”

You would expect Ethridge and his female opponent to receive condemnation for acting a fool in school when they were supposed to be studying. At least that was the normal response from adults growing up when they learned that I was involved in similar schoolyard fight situations. However even with the cautionary title It’s Not Okay to Hit A Girl: This Boy was Fed Up During Argument, most of the comments, which are now disabled, appear to make a joke out of the beatdown. Likewise Ethridge, unperturbed that he has actually done something shameful, revels in all of the attention, even tweeting and re-tweeting messages of congratulations for making it to the site and for throwing a mean right, including this satirical (I hope) message, “Do you have a heaux that needs sum pimp slapping done? Call Jalen at 1-800-SlapAHo.”

Men hitting women, or in this instance, boys hitting girls, is not a new phenomenon. However, men and boys hitting women and girls on camera and then taking bows over the act seems like a relatively newish thing. I don’t know if WSHH is totally to blame for that as some could argue that certain rappers like Too Short have been promoting the “smack a heaux” culture for some time now. However the site does appear to be a clearinghouse for this sort of anti-social and non progressive attitudes around violence towards women.

Perhaps it is the aid of technology like WSHH, which has made us more susceptible to seeing some violent acts against women as a cause and effect problem instead of a blanket condemnation. After all, it was her smart-mouth and needling of him, which caused Ethridge to throw up his fist and basically knock her down, right? Except Ethridge didn’t have to be in that situation. He could have decided to not argue with the young woman. He could have also walked away. And even if he was left with little choice but to defend himself, where is the regret in having to do so? The idea of hitting a woman used to be thought of as an act of last resort (and the work of abusers), certainly nothing to celebrate. Instead little Spike Lee here goes home with his video trophy of his victory, pulled out his windows movie maker, does some editing, lays down a soundtrack and then uploaded to a site, which receives over 500 million impressions a day. I’m pretty certain this was not about defending himself, or even misguided attempt at gender equality. This was about notoriety and fame. This was about going viral on the internet. And more importantly, this was about doing something so daring, which could propel a person to the title of World Star.

Long before WSHH, there was television, movies, video games, the world news and even what they saw outside (and inside in more tragic circumstances) their homes, which provided people many avenues to become desensitized to gratuitous violence of any form. However sites like WSHH offer a home for this kind of violence to not only exist but also feel welcomed. But as easy as it would be to condemn WSHH and Ethridge for that matter, there is a bigger message about how none of this culture of violence, particularly violence against women, will ever change as long as we continue to view these acts as entertainment. I mean, 500 million impressions a day?

Rex Features via AP Images

Once upon a time (today included), there was a Queen Bey who reigned unchallenged over every facet of the pop star kingdom. Her unparalleled commitment to outperforming the lesser royals allowed her to outshine them all. Except in one dark area. Being larger than life alienated her from the masses.

Always looking to improve, Queen Bey set her sights on the Web. Other starlets had used social media to their advantage. Surely the Queen could as well. She launched a website! And a Tumblr! Sprinkling out glimpses of her life for the masses to consume, artistic candid photos and handwritten open letters to those that inspired her. Everyone ate it up… for the most part. Some complained. The Queen was showing more of herself, but she wasn’t really telling us anything about who she was.

Bolstered by the delight of fans or the criticism of detractors, Queen Bey decided to take her online presence a step further. She launched The Beyhive blog on Tuesday. She billed it as “my way of showing all the inspiring things I come across every single day… through my eyes.”

Here’s Where the Fairy Tale Gets Real…

Beyoncé’s latest endeavor satisfies the minimum qualifications to be called a blog. The Beyhive is “a frequent, chronological publication of personal thoughts and Web links” (Marketing Terms). The blog features: photo links to the star’s latest cultural and artistic finds, a collection of the notes she writes to newsmakers (previously found in the News section), street style photographed by her stylist, and an archive of fan art. All listed in chronological order.

It’s cute. But she could have just made a Pinterest board.

Let’s look at what other celebrities are doing with lifestyle blogs:

• Goop, launched by Knowles-Carter clique member Gwyneth Paltrow, features interviews as well as editorial heavy features on products, destinations, recipes, and more.
• Little Monsters, the brainchild of the only other performer allowed to make eye contact with the Queen, Lady Gaga, is a full-fledged social network for fans of the provocateur.
• Life & Times, spearheaded by husband to Beyoncé’, Jay-Z, is a full-scale online publication that runs branded video, op-eds, and accompanies all its images with at least a paragraph of text.

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The basics of financial planning are pretty simple. Spend less than you make, save for the future, and make smart investment choices. Still, once our wallet gets to a certain level of fatness (or deteriorates into shambles) we often feel the need to turn to an expert for advice.

Unfortunately, a good financial advisor can be hard to come by. Most of the time they aren’t trying to waste their precious billable hours on folks making less than six figures. Plus, it can feel hypocritical to fork over thousands of dollars for advice that you could be using to improve your financial standing.

Cue the internet to the rescue! Just like the travel industry and tax preparation services before it, financial advice is being streamlined by technology. Instead of a human advisor charging up to $150 an hour to ask you hundreds of questions about your financial standing, monetary goals, and openness to risk in order to develop a unique plan, a computer program does the job for a flat rate.

Web alternatives can be easier to use than going to a person. Many allow you to electronically pull information from your financial institutions, saving you the chore of compiling the information manually. An action plan is then generated specifically for you, based on the principles financial advisors follow. Some services, like NestWise, will follow up via e-mail or video chat with a human being for an additional fee.

For some people, visiting a firm may still be ideal. In his defense of financial advisors for Forbes, Mike Alfred refers to top advisors as “a quarterback in their client’s financial life [to] help coordinate estate planning, tax planning, insurance coverage, as well as providing a comprehensive process to help the client understand their funding needs and life goals.”

But, that logic is based on the theory that everyone’s financial situation is unique, and requires a plan specific to her financial position. The truth is, most of us are in the same boat. We eat out too much. We need to pay off debt. We’re saving for retirement or a big purchase.

If your finances have quirks that the average person doesn’t deal with, by all means turn to a professional for their opinion. But, if you’re an Average Jill looking to manage her money better, the web may be an effective, cost-friendly alternative. Here are a few options to consider, depending on the level of guidance you need to whip your wallet into shape:

Basic

Basic budgeting sites are perfect if you need help managing your money day-to-day. These free sites give you tools to track what you’re spending, what you’re saving, and how your investments are doing. Most will automatically pull your financial information from all your accounts into one place.

• Mint.com
• Yodlee.com
• Buxfer.com

Advanced

If you want the full financial advisor experience, without that pesky human being charging you by the hour, there are a few options available to you. These services are not free, but they are substantially lower compared to traditional planners’ prices. For an additional fee, you can speak with a person via chat or e-mail to talk through your financial plan.

• NestWise.com
• LearnVest.com
• PersonalCapital.com
• FutureAdvisor.com

C. Cleveland is a freelance writer and content strategist in New York City, perfecting living the fierce life at The Red Read. She is at your service on Twitter (@CleveInTheCity) and Facebook (/MyReadIsRed).

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Nielsen released its US Consumer Usage Report 2012 and found that watching television is, by far, the most popular way consumers spend time with media.

On average, consumers spend six days and 54 minutes watching traditional TV (or 144 hours and 54 minutes) each month. Internet time on a computer is the next most popular media consumption activity, with the average consumer spending 28 hours and 29 minutes on the internet monthly.

According to Nielsen, 289 million people own at least one television set, while 212 million internet users are active online. Online, social networking is the top activity, with 20.1 percent of time online spent on social networks and blogs. On mobile phones, 14.1 percent of time is spent texting, 10.2 percent of time is spent on social networks, and 5.5 percent is spent actually using it as a phone.

While this data is interesting on its own, it all converges around social TV. Social TV, which has been defined as the intersection of television content and social networks, is generally used to describe the act of consumers using their computers, mobile phones, or tablets to discuss TV shows with friends on social networks, apps, and via texting. This can happen in real-time, which discourages time-shifted viewing, or at a later date.

Lost Remote, a blog exclusively about social TV, recently wrote nine predictions for social TV in 2013, including that cross-platform storytelling with mature, Netflix will make its services more social (which is already happening with a recent change in the law), and mobile will continue to grow in its use and influence on social TV.

As Nielsen reported, television viewing isn’t going anywhere, and while social media and mobile usage is on the rise, these types of media will all come together in social TV.

Do you chat about TV shows online while you are watching them? Do you see social TV as a big trend for 2013?

Rihanna living up to her username, @badgalriri, on Instagram.

There was a time when stars were more like the celestial bodies they are named for, mysterious and unattainable. Prince’s two-syllable interview non-responses and the mystery hands covering Janet’s breasts on Rolling Stone (that turned out to be her secret husband) come to mind. The most dynamic cultural icons kept you wanting more by staying slightly out of reach.

Cue the internet age. Fans are now privy to the most miniscule details of their favorite celebrity’s life. What they ate for breakfast and what kind of toothbrush they used afterwards is just a click away. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

To be fair, the internet has made everyone more open. It demands that we continuously generate content for one another. Celebrities are not immune to the new kind of intimacy and community social media creates.

A New Kind of Star

Making stars used to be the job of an exclusive group of gatekeepers. Editors, studio heads, label executives and the like engineered what the story of the day or the phenomenon of the summer would be. That system has been blown to smithereens.

Well-established stars scoffed at Facebook and Twitter at first. Then they realized cat videos and GIFs were stealing their spotlight, and suddenly became keen to open up.

“Celebrity” has been democratized with the public setting the news cycle. Anyone can be one. If you can connect with people and keep them interested, you can build a career, whether your medium is video or 140 characters or less. Regular folks are using techniques previously reserved for the old guard of gatekeepers to promote themselves. A well-placed piece of news and a devout following birth a star.

Playing the Online Fame Game

Rihanna, named the top Social Networking Superstar by Forbes, and Chris Brown crooned that their tumultuous love affair was “Nobody’s Business” on her recent album. Days after its release, intimate photos of the pair were posted on their respective Instagram accounts. Both of which have millions of followers.

It’s a contradiction many stars play out (hello Robert).  They want a personal life, but like many social media users, they can’t seem to keep anything to themselves. The ones that do are criticized for not giving fans enough. The once private Beyoncé has made a foray into social media. Yet she’s still met with cries for more personal footage.

Going offline is not an option for the new generation of celebrity. Forums, blogs, and overzealous fans work around the clock to predict and perpetuate gossip. Social media gives stars an avenue to take control and elevate the conversation above the salacious. The trouble is many of them have no clue how to do that.

New Game, Old Tricks

To be a new age phenomenon, social media is based on old school principles. It’s about forging personal connections. Whether they’re on the playground or tweeting to millions, it is up to the individual to decide how to connect with another person. Gossip and private matters grab attention, but there are other things to talk about.

Some stars on catching on. Tracee Ellis Ross and Angela Simmons have launched websites based on their lifestyle interests. Starlet Jurnee Smollett uses her Twitter feed to bring attention to social issues.

Social media has created an audience that recognizes its power and wants to engage everything on a deeper level. Many in the public eye are still learning that a deeper level doesn’t always equal the tawdry or inane details of their private business. Forbes breaks it down like this:

We’re looking for celebrities who will acknowledge their dependence on us and their engagement with us. We want celebrities in fact who will admit that they are like us and… will also show us how they are different, bolder, more outspoken, funnier but not distant.”

Social media shrinks the distance between the stars and the rest of us, but we still want them to shine a little brighter.

C. Cleveland is a freelance writer and content strategist in New York City, perfecting living the fierce life at The Red Read. She is at your service on Twitter @CleveInTheCity.

“A Dollar and A Dream” spotlights low- and no-cost ways to build a better business. The economy may be lagging, but new resources are empowering small business owners like never before. Follow the series to learn how to take your dreams to the next level without breaking the bank.

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“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”  -Nelson Mandela

We’ve all heard soaring quotes about the value of an education. The poetry of these words has never been more practical. Today’s business world requires entrepreneurs to make education a priority.

More than keeping you on the top of your game, learning improves your bottom line. Whether you take a class in calligraphy or small business principles, growing your expertise will save you from spending money on consultants and cleaning up after your own mistakes.

With the ramifications of the student loan crisis looming, students and institutions alike are looking for better ways to signal knowledge and skills to employers. Educational institutions are rethinking the way they teach and experimenting with technology to democratize education. In the future, a resume may display a digital badge, showing the completion of an online course rather than a degree.

The debate on the future of education is nowhere near settled. In the meantime, entrepreneurs and life long learners can take advantage of the benefits coming out of the discussion.  Class is in session with the best minds in the world, and tuition is free.

Online courses lack the intimacy of the classroom. Some websites offer assignments and quizzes to track your learning. But, don’t expect the same experience as an in-classroom course.

Online resources, like those listed below, will you give enough direction to refresh your skills or feed your interest in a new subject. Unlike traditional programs, online study can be easily tailored to your schedule and areas of interest. If you’re really feeling fierce, start a study group within your network to encourage one another and capture that classroom feel.

Coursera is a social entrepreneurship company that partners with the top universities in the world including Stanford, Princeton, and Emory.

Price: Free

Style: Lecture

Topics: A wide range spanning the humanities, medicine, biology, social sciences, mathematics, business, computer science, and many others.

Sample Courses:

• Grow to Greatness: Smart Growth for Private Businesses, Part II (Edward D. Hess, University of Virginia)
• Developing Innovative Ideas for New Companies (Dr. James V. Green, University of Maryland, College Park)

30 Second MBA is an ongoing video curriculum, presented by Fast Company, of good advice from successful people in business today.

Price: Free

Style: Short, unfiltered videos

Topics: Business questions ranging from the practical to the philosophical.

Sample Courses:

• How Do You Raise Funds? (Jess Lee, Cofounder And Head Of Product Management, Polyvore)
• How did you find your last great idea? (Carol Kruse, Senior Vice President Of Marketing, ESPN)