MIVA Dragonproof Podcast: The World of Photo Scanning

Posted on October 23, 2020 by

Good Disruption: The Gift of Ecommerce – Dragonproof Podcast Episode 28


The holiday shopping season is always a disruptive event for online sellers – and in 2020, the added global disruptions brought on Covid have heightened consumers’ collective need for products and services that bring solace, humanity, and hope.


Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts 



New Podcast: Why ScanMyPhoto’s Unique Photo Digitization Services Are A Hit. cc: @MIVA

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There is no more precious object in one’s home than a family photo. We turn to these emblems of memories, experiences, and good emotions during times of stress and to celebrate all that we love. That’s why ScanMyPhoto’s unique photo digitization services are such a hit during holiday shopping seasons, and never more so than in 2020.


In this episode, Mitch Goldstone of ScanMyPhotos.com joins Rick Wilson for an update on how this business is preparing for the “good disruption” of the upcoming holiday period.


The ScanMyPhotos.com Story


Click here to view the New Yorker illustration referenced in the interview.


Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts 


ABOUT MIVA’s DRAGONPROOF eCommerce PODCAST: Online sellers don’t need to fear the Amazon dragon. As CEO of Miva, Rick Wilson’s experience overseeing solutions for thousands of successful online businesses has facilitated billions of dollars in ecommerce transactions. Now he draws on that expertise to explore the characteristics of sustainable, profitable ecommerce. Join Rick and his expert guests for this groundbreaking and ongoing masterclass on building an unbeatable online business.


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CONSUMER ALERT: Why Amazon Prime Day® is a Calamity for Small Businesses

Posted on October 13, 2020 by

NEWS ALERT: Why Amazon Prime Day® is a Calamity for Small Businesses. [Editorial by ScanMyPhotos.com]


Many consumers shop for the deal, but is #PrimeDay a discount? What are the hidden costs? This marketing gimmick scores massive media attention–Billions in free advertising.


You are forced to pay $119 before you save a penny. If you are not an Amazon Prime member, good luck, you can’t play their game. This is a pure definition of a “pay-for-play” scheme.  You are charged an annual Amazon Prime fee of $119 before you even click to order anything.


Bloggers, the media, and influencers crow about the #PrimeDay deals but fail to explain the caveat. The first rule. There is a $119 upfront signup fee.


The other problem is how shopping during Prime Day is an assault on America’s small businesses.


Is Amazon #PrimeDay a marketing scheme, or worse?

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While it sounds like Amazon is compassionate for supporting (sic) small businesses; there is a backstory. Prime Members who order over $10 at a small business will receive a $10 credit towards a future purchase; let us understand more about this spiff. It is a scheme.


Are small businesses required to be an Amazon merchant — listed on its platform? What is the hefty fee for every purchase that goes to Amazon?


This is why I place orders directly with restaurants. To help them. When you use GrubHub, UberEats, and other delivery apps, upwards of 30% is taken off the top. Buy direct to support companies, especially during a pandemic and economic calamity.


Courtesy: Kevin Muldoon


Penny Photo Scanning ($40 min applies to your order)Companies like ScanMyPhotos.com sell directly to consumers. No middleman agent to collect fees. We are not ambushing Amazon, but showcasing that our everyday lowest prices are a real deal. Example: get digitize 4,000 photos for $40 with the ScanMyPhotos.com penny photo scanning service.


Details here. And you are supporting America’s small businesses.



“UK shoppers urged to shun Amazon Prime Day to support small businesses.”

“Amazon Prime Day 2020: Prime Day Sucks, Here’s Why.” By ANDREW ROBERTS.

 

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BIG News! Actually 30 Years of News To Review Photo Scanning

Posted on October 12, 2020 by

Before trusting a photo scanning service, read the reviews. See the news profiles. At ScanMyPhotos.com, we have hundreds of stellar media reviews–spanning 30 years– to showcase how we do our magic for you.


 

This Photo Scanning Service More Than Delivers

*****

“Another pleasant surprise: The excellent quality of the scans. Every photo was vibrant, clear, and color-corrected. We were beyond impressed with the entire service, speed, and quality, and have already recommended it to several friends. It makes a fantastic and affordable holiday gift for a loved one — and helps clean up the house while preserving memories permanently before they fade away.”

Scott Kramer, Forbes — Read Forbes Story

Tips For Living: Why It’s A Good Idea To Digitize Your Old Family Photos And How To Do It

*****

“’ The need to digitize pictures is more relevant than ever due to the hurricanes and natural disasters,’ he said in an email to the Deseret News. ‘This is 100 percent preventable if pictures are scanned and uploaded to the cloud.’”

Trent Toone, Deseret News — Read Deseret News Story


smp30years 300x146 - BIG News! Actually 30 Years of News To Review Photo Scanning 

Digitize Your Photos to Preserve Your Memories

*****

“Companies like the aptly named ScanMyPhotos.com will send a box to your home — large enough to pack up 1,800 photos, says the company — with prices starting at $145 (cost is determined by DPI requirements). Turnaround time is two to three weeks. They also offer hand-scanning of 35mm slides and film negatives.” Mark Salzman, AARP — Read AARP Story

Best New Ways To Scan Your Old Photos

*****

“I organized a group of 100 shots by year, labeled them with Post-its, and sent them off via FedEx to ScanMyPhotos.com, based in Irvine, Calif. Within a few days, my prints had been uploaded and the originals were back safely in my possession. With the $145 prepaid service, the company sends you an 11-by-8.5-by- 5.5-inch box and asks you to stuff it full—that’s around 1,800 snapshots, according to company Chief Executive Mitch Goldstone.”

Joanna Stern, Wall Street Journal — Read WSJ Story


Check out these news profiles for how to scan pictures

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How To Preserve Old Photos: 7 Ways To Keep Antique Family Photos Looking Their Best

*****

“Try ScanMyPhotos.com … which will all take your boxes of photos, create digital files, and return the originals to you in perfect condition.” Juliana LaBianca, Readers Digest — Read Readers Digest Story

Preserve Your Irreplaceable Memories With ScanMyPhotos

*****

“The ScanMyPhotos.com service is fast, inexpensive, and relatively simple to use. Having tried to scan my own photos, and then having ScanMyPhotos.com do them all for me, I can say that it is money well-spent to use the service.”

Tony Bradley, Forbes — Read Forbes Story



Product Review: ScanMyPhotos.com

*****

“If you’re looking to preserve and share your pre-digital photographic history while enjoying the clutter-less security of digitization, ScanMyPhotos.com is a good way to go.” David Friedlander, Life Edited — Read LifeEdited Story

Three Ways To Preserve Your Precious Photos Before Disaster Strikes

*****

“ScanMyPhotos.com handles photos from 3”x 3” up to 8”x 10” and they also offer a photograph restoration service, as well as slide and negative scanning. Processing takes about 5-10 days and is done at their lab in California. There’s an option for expedited processing at an additional cost.” Andrea Smith, HuffPost — Read HuffPost Story


Turning Your Vacation Photos Into Works Of Art

*****

“For affordable bulk scans, ScanMyPhotos.com is an old standby (you can read David Pogue’s review on nytimes.com).” Stephanie Rosenbloom, New York Times — Read New York Times Story

The Importance Of Scanning Your Memories

*****

ScanMyPhotos.com joins me to discuss the ins-and-outs of scanning. What is the state-of-the-art? And what are some pitfalls that you should be aware of.”

Fredrick Van Johnson, This Week In PHOTO — Read This Week In PHOTO



Expert Decluttering Tips For Your Great Pandemic Purge

*****

“Digitizing those mountains of old physical photographs can preserve precious pictures for safekeeping while also clearing lots of clutter. “While traveling is off limits as families stay safe at home, there is a way to revisit past adventures while decluttering your lifetime of photo snapshots,” says Mitch Goldstone of ScanMyPhotos.com.” — Andrew Lisa, Cheapism — Read MSN Story

5 Expert Tips for Organizing All Your Old Photos Right Now

*****

“Services like ScanMyPhotos.com will also do the brunt work for you in digitizing and organizing your memories, with their most popular offering being “fill-the-box” photo scanning,” Perri Ormont Blumberg, Southern Living — Read Southern Living Story

Memories In A Shoebox: Digitizing Old Photos Unlocks A Flood Of Mixed Emotions

*****

“Though I have a scanner, it works far too slowly (and I’m too lazy) to process more than a thousand photos (my husband contributed his own stash). So, I followed Sharon Profis’ advice and carefully packed a box with prints and sent it to Scanmyphotos instead. My experience was great and it only took a week to get my photos back. If you have a box of pictures sitting around, it’s an easy way to secure them. If you’re pushing the 2,000-photo mark, go for the $145-prepaid box, which the company says will fit about 1,800 prints.”

Kent German, CNET Read — CNET Story

As You Declutter, Take Time to Rediscover Family Treasures

*****

“Meanwhile, ScanMyPhotos chief executive Mitch Goldstone reports that sales of the aptly named company are at a four-year high because of the pandemic. Starting at $145, ScanMyPhotos will ship a prepaid box you’re meant to load with about 1,800 pictures.”

Ed Baig, AARP — Read AARP Story



How To Rescue, Repair And Revive Old Family Photos

*****

“If you see your family pictures starting to fade away in their shoeboxes, crumbling photo albums or moldering slide carousels, fear not. There are easy ways to save your valuable images — and maybe even make them better. Shipping them off to a professional scanning company for digital conversion and retouching is one easy approach. Services like … ScanMyPhotos.com are easily found on the web and do fine work.” J. D. Biersdorfer, New York Times — Read NYT Story

Home Decor Dilemma: What To Do With Old Photos

*****

“ScanMyPhotos.com, recommends scanning and saving the originals ‘These precious records hold value to more than the person who earned them,’ he added. ‘They are more than a bragging right. They are part of your family’s history and should be preserved.”’

Marni Jameson, Herald-Tribune — Read Herald Tribune Story

 

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How to keep Thanksgiving and the holidays safe and fun during Covid-19

Posted on September 29, 2020 by

Thanksgiving 2020 Is Canceled, According to Family Historians Polled by ScanMyPhotos.com


Now that traditional Thanksgiving family gatherings have been canceled this year, according to family historians polled by ScanMyPhotos.com. Most holiday traditions aren’t possible because of the pandemic.


How to keep Thanksgiving and the holidays safe and fun during Covid-19

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Seven Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving From Afar. Now That Thanksgiving is Canceled, What To Do?


 

thanksgivingcancel 300x300 - Thanksgiving 2020 Is Canceled, According to Family Historians Polled by ScanMyPhotos.comOnline virtual gathers will replace traditional Thanksgiving holidays this year as the pandemic ushers in a ‘new normal.’ Anthony Fauci Urges Americans To Reconsider Thanksgiving Gatherings Amid Pandemic.



One hundred family historian chroniclers agreed that Thanksgiving 2020 will be very different due to the Covid-19 pandemic.


When Charles Dickens wrote A Tale of Two Cities, the historical novelist began with “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Back in 1859, he could never have imagined today’s canceled culture pandemic led to mostly just the worst of times.



Even Thanksgiving, falling on the fourth Thursday in November has been canceled.


Thanksgiving this year is canceled, according to one hundred family historians polled by ScanMyPhotos.com

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A QUICK READ:

 

  • Anyone searching for “when is Thanksgiving 2020?” will understand why, according to one hundred family historians, traditional family holidays will not occur this year.
  • According to historian chroniclers across the nation, Thanksgiving will be different due to the pandemic. In reply to a July 10-30th poll conducted by ScanMyPhotos.com, they explained this holiday season would be very different.
  • Rules will be bent, and this Thanksgiving will become the year of virtual, long-distance gatherings as families stay safe while social distancing.
  • Missing this year will be who carves the Thanksgiving turkey and who bakes the pies?


7 Ways to Surround Yourself with Cherished Moments to Celebrate Thanksgiving From Afar:


  1. Visit Virtually, Online: Send invitations to your friends and the entire family to gather at a specific time during Thanksgiving for a virtual video call celebration while everyone is safe at home. “Zoom” live-action during your turkey dinner. Share stories. Watch and listen to the collective conversations to celebrate with your siblings, parents, distant relatives, and friends. Technology will unite and connect without ever leaving home. Make sure everyone understands how and when to log in.

  2. Share Decades-Past Snapshots: Gather and digitize your old-school photos snapshots to reminisce and narrate the stories behind past Thanksgiving dinners and share the stories behind the memories when you cannot be together in person.

  3. Select a Game For Everyone To Play: Jackbox is a gaming service that allows you to Facetime with your friends while playing virtual games.

  4. Virtual Memory Wheel: Connects and gets everyone to engage. Become part of the story, while socially distancing. Have everyone select ten of their all-time most memorable pictures from past Thanksgivings and family gatherings. Share all the pictures online, and narrates the story behind the photos.

  5. Smile, It is Family Photo Time: Take a family photo, complete with all virtual guests. Use a collage photo app to assemble each picture into a family keepsake and order photo gifts for everyone.

  6. Guess Who? Cards: Have everyone submit two anonymous memes or message cards describing something excellent and unusual that happened to them in 2020. Add a third card with an aspiration for something they had hoped to do in 2020 but were unable to do. And one more identifying the best book, favorite TV show, movie, song, or event they enjoyed during the past 12 months. Then have everyone guess who wrote each Guess Who?

  7. Prepare Before. Send a Gift and Traditional Dessert: Before Thanksgiving, send matching bouquets and a favorite family dessert to all your guests to enjoy together during your interactive Zoom, party.



Major retailers already announced they would close on Thanksgiving. Many others are doing without the traditional day after “Black Friday” sales as the coronavirus pandemic continues. Parades are not the only canceled tradition. Large Thanksgiving dinners are out too.



For those seeking an opt-out to escape family drama, the excuse why you cannot visit in person during Thanksgiving has already been made. No explanation is needed. Multigenerational families, separated by distance and time apart, can instead all gather together online.



Because traditional Thanksgiving parties are canceled, there are ways to gather online for holiday reunions virtually. Thanksgiving is a wonderful time filled with family and joy. Often it is the only time during the year when the entire family gathers together.


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How to save 50% on digitizing photo snapshots

Posted on September 23, 2020 by

ScanMyPhotos designed this 50% discount for bulk photo scanning with you in mind. Free delivery*, save an extra $20 on orders over $250 during our “be safe, water a mask” advocacy campaign. Use promo code: “50OffScan” at checkout.


Do you have loads of snapshots?  Here is how to pay as little as $72.50 to get about 1,800 pictures digitized.



[UPDATE] Fortune, CNET, The Mercury News, AND Forbes Magazine are raving on ScanMyPhotos. The Associated Press mentioned our photo scanning service as a project to keep you busy while at home. For loads of other news and review profiles, click here. Next Avenue published another mention.


50% Off + FREE Shipping* Today. ORDER HERE.


Never miss a deal or news on photography. Subscribe to the ScanMyPhoto Journal today. It’s free.


stuckathome 300x300 - Save 50% on Digitizing Your PicturesCLICK HERE to save 50% on our most popular fill-the-box photo scanning service (excluding any other scanning services, including the “Family Generation Collection,” eGift Certificates, and “VIP Photo Scanning Package”).


It cannot be applied to prior orders. Applicable sales tax applies. 50% off includes most add-on extras and free S/H*. This includes returning your digital media. *If you want your photos returned add $19.95 per box, or $14.95 o have them disposed of.


Here is how to pay as little as $72.50 to get about 1,800 pictures digitized.

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Discount not valid towards applicable sales tax. Limit 8 boxes.  How to prepare your photos. Ends soon. Full details are posted on the order page. USE PROMO CODE: “50OffScan” at checkout. 


save50 300x165 - Save 50% on Digitizing Your Pictures


Order now. No rush. You have 9 months [extended from 6 months] to return your pictures for scanning. Click for how to prepare your photos for scanning.


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Prepare for the Worst, Expect the Best: Observing National Preparedness Month

Posted on September 20, 2020 by

Preparing for Hurricanes, wildfires, and other climate disasters. This keeps happening, yet is one hundred percent preventable. 


National Preparedness MonthWe’re in the business of preservation, so when National Preparedness Month rolls around each September, we take it very seriously. Disaster can strike anywhere, at any time, and for no reason whatsoever—but we can make sure we’re prepared.


Sponsored by FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security, National Preparedness Month was started to encourage everyone to be proactive in our approach to disasters. In fact, each week of September has its own theme:


Sign up for free news updates and photo tips, plus discounts to save on digitizing pictures.


Sponsored by @FEMA, National Preparedness Month helps prepare for natural disasters

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  • September 1-5: Flood
  • September 6-12: Wildfire
  • September 13-19: Hurricane
  • September 20-26: Power outage
  • September 27-30: Lead up to National PrepareAthon! Day (September 30th)

But it doesn’t stop there—you can prepare for anything. Start by making a plan for you and your family in any worst-case scenario you can think of. You’ll want to break your plan out into four different steps:


https://twitter.com/scanmyphotos/status/1307315979345514498?s=21

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How to produce your own collaborative and interactive film festival

Posted on September 10, 2020 by

Sad news as Regal Cinemas–the Second-largest U.S. cinema chain is closing its doors again–and suspending operations at all U.S. locations. We created this plan for producing your own collaborative and interactive film festival — a family documentary from your pictures.


“Entertainment is the relief from loneliness to escape into a story.” [Reed Hastings, co-founder, Netflix].


blogt1 300x200 - How to produce your own collaborative and interactive film festival Here is a fun family archival project to create your own virtual production, as so many events and activities are postponed. This collaborative family legacy film festival will unite everyone together while safely practicing social distancing.


Take a break from watching streaming TV shows, and make your own presentations.


Become an aspiring tech mogul to produce an event to virtually share your adventures and nostalgia with the entire family and your friends. Technology has made moviemaking nearly cost-free and more accessible than ever. You already have all the content–those treasures tucked away in shoeboxes and photo albums.


Sign up for free news updates and photo tips, plus discounts to save on digitizing pictures.


 

create your own family documentaryTHE SCRIPT
To create your own breakthrough blockbuster event, invite your family to participate. Have everyone gather and digitize their lifetime of photo snapshots, 35mm slides, film negatives, and movie film. Add in more recent pictures and videos from everyone’s smartphone camera roll.


  • Send an invite to participate in your family legacy documentary and explain its purpose;
  • Gather photos and pictures of important memorabilia;
  • Interview everyone to learn the stories behind the pictures;
  • Organize the content;
  • Draft an outline and script for your documentary;
  • Edit then share your masterpiece.


create your own family documentaryHOW TO UPLOAD PHOTOS
Create a Google Photos account for everyone to access and upload their favorite content. Set parameters for contents and limit the editing.

Those goofy snapshots and less-then-artistic images often tell the best story. It is all about storytelling.


HOW TO PRODUCE YOUR MASTERPIECE
Chronologically categorize or package the images by events or separate chapters for each person. Ask everyone to select their favorite tunes to accompany the show. Imbed brief TikTok elements to surprise and enhance production. Use an app like Pixgram to customize your video and photo slideshow with music. Try Montaj to design photo and video montages. Kizoa is an online video editor, movie maker, and slideshow creator to enhance your social media production.


create your own family documentaryAnother favorite is Cute Cut, a user-friendly slide-and-drop app to draw on your videos and add effects, textures, shadows, and borders to personalize your snaps. Add voices to narrate the story behind the pictures.


Use a free app like Canva to add personalized gifs and memes as titles to explain each scene.

To bring people together for celebrating and commemorating your family history is to use Cameo. Hire your favorite celebrity to add a personal touch with a uniquely produced message.


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9 Touching Stories that Show the Power of Photos

Posted on September 2, 2020 by

power of photosIf you go to any news site right now, you’ll likely see stories about national disasters, crises, crimes, accidents, and political upheaval. But sometimes, if you’re lucky, you’ll read a truly touching article that brings a smile to your face or possibly a tear to your cheek.

 

For us here at ScanMyPhotos, we love to read any human interest story involving the power of photos. Our customers have shared countless tales with us and we’ve stumbled upon many incredible stories around the web.

 

To spread the love, we’d like to share a few of these amazing articles that highlight just how powerful our photos truly are.


1: Following in His Grandfather’s Footsteps: Man Redoes Classic Family Vacation Photos – via @nbcnews
Using his grandmother’s detailed travel notes and his grandfather’s photos, Christian Carillo set off on an adventure that would re-connect him with his grandparents in a very special way.

 

2: A Touching Tribute to Love: The ScanMyPhotos Project that Became a Life Changing Experience – via @scanmyphotos
A ScanMyPhotos customer helps a husband plan the gift of a lifetime for his dying wife. This story is a heartwarming tear-jerker that’s a must-read.

 

3: Group reunites families with lost photos – via @koamnews
When photos go missing it can feel as if you’ve lost a limb. When a tornado strikes, a family feels they’ve lost their photos forever—until they get the surprise of a lifetime.

 

4: Newly married couple find an old picture of themselves playing on the same beach as children just a few feet apart – via @MailOnline
Destiny can be an amazing and funny thing—especially when an ordinary vacation photo turns into a significant moment captured in time.

 

5: A Forgotten 1912 Photo Brings Family Memories Flooding Back to Life – via @scanmyphotos
A damaged and mostly forgotten photo can withhold thousands of words and memories. One ScanMyPhotos customer managed to unlock one photo’s secrets with our restoration services.

 

6: Photo helps New York family find missing son – via @CNN
When a picture of a young man huddled on the streets of Washington D.C. shows up on USA Today Sunday, it sparks a response that you need to read to believe.

 

7: Woman’s detective work reunites Charlotte family with old photos – via @theobserver
Knowing the power photos hold, one woman seeks to reconnect a box of old photos with their rightful owners.

 

8: Storm-damaged photos salvaged at Katrina event – via @NOLAnews
A tragic event doesn’t mean total disaster for our memories. As this article proves, damaged photos can be restored and help victims of natural disasters turn their new house into a home.

 

9: Jim Collar: Historical photo brings a surprise – via @PostCrescent
When an old 1945 photo hits the front page of a newspaper, it brings Jim Collar a big surprise and provides us all with a great story.

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