The Carolina Million Blog

Wednesday, December 12, 2007
The Carolina Million Back in Action

We will be starting back with the Carolina Million After Five in early 2008. Thank you to everyone for coming out to support the Carolina Million. We are currently working on redeveloping the site and hope to have a launch party early next year. The Carolina Contest will also be starting up again next year. Have a great Holiday season!

- posted by Matt @ 7:59 PM

Wednesday, December 5, 2007
New Advertiser on the Carolina Million

The newest advertiser on The Carolina Million is Duckworth's Grill and Bar. There are two great locations in Park Towne Village Shopping Center and Mooresville, Duckworth's boasts a wide variety of food and beers on tap. Try their trademark Cheesesteaks washed down with one of 20 beers on tap. Check out their advert in the upper right hand corner of The Carolina Million for a photo of the Mooresville location. Or visit DuckworthsGrillandBar.com.

- posted by Matt @ 7:50 PM

Wednesday, October 4, 2007
Carolina Million After Five on the 17th

We return to Tyber Creek for another Carolina Million After 5. Brendan from 4Brendan.com will be playing the strings and there will be beer specials. Also we will be giving away 10 tickets to the Carolina Panthers Ultimate Tailgate with complimentary drinks and other prizes. Sponsored by Party Time Events and Rockhouse Events. Hope you all can make it.

Check out photos from the last Carolina Million After 5 at Tyber  

- posted by Matt @ 9:27 AM

Monday, September 3, 2007
Carolina Million After Five at Tyber Creek - Sept. 12

The CMAF is next Wednesday, Sept. 12, at Tyber Creek  Pub on the patio.   We will have live acoustic music from Brendan of 4brendan.com,  FREE food and a chance to win a limousine rental from Ragin' Racing Limousines.  (Gratuity not included)

This is not just any limousine rental.  You will will be accompanied by a Ricky Bobby character actor guaranteed for a lot of laughs.  Visit The Carolina Million contest page for more details and the promotional code.

The limo rental drawing will take place at the Carolina Million After Five. Must be in attendance to claim prize.

- posted by Matt @ 5:31 PM

Thursday, August 9 , 2007
Welcome SouthHaus to the Carolina Million

The gateway to historic Dilworth and SouthEnd, SouthHaus adds an exciting new way of looking at modern living to this vibrant urban setting. These stunning two and three-level lofts and penthouses offer chic, contemporary designs and unique architectural features found in the most progressive European cities.

Visit the design center at
2133 Southend Dr.
Charlotte, NC 28203
Monday - Thursday 10 - 6
Friday 9 - 5
Saturday 10 - 5 and Sundays by appointment
Email evolve@southhaus.com for more info.

- posted by Matt @ 7:25 PM

Friday, July 20 2007
New Advertiser Tilt on Trade

Welcome Tilt on Trade to The Carolina Million. Tilt is one of the newest hotspots in Charlotte (where the old Liquid Lounge used to be). The space has been completely renovated and improved.

TILT 's prime location in Uptown Charlotte caters to the after-work crowd, as well as the nightlife party pack.   Completely renovated, TILT is a classy, upscale venue with beautifully finished hardwood floors, chandelier lighting, and eight flat screen TV’s throughout. TILT can be classified as everything from a sports bar, to a nightclub with its amazing diverse feel. Despite its elegant decorations, TILT has a laid back feel mostly due to the friendly staff and warm ambience.

- posted by Matt @ 9:39 PM

Friday, July 13 2007
Elevate Magazine features Carolina Million

Elevate Magazine featured photos from the Carolina Million After 5 at Tyber Creek.  Check out the latest issue here http://www.elevatecharlotte.com

- posted by Matt @ 9:27 PM

Monday, June 18, 2007
The Carolina Million After 5 coming to a neighborhood near you

Thanks to everyone that attended the Carolina Million After 5 last Wednesday.  We had a great crowd and Brendan from 4brendan.com rocked the house. The next CMAF will be at Duckworth's CheeseSteakery on Park Road and Woodlawn (next to Mama Fu's) on Wednesday July 11th.   Brendan will supply the tunes and Duckworth's will supply the atmosphere.  This is an indoor/outdoor event so keep your finger crossed for good weather.  It will take place rain or shine.   Sign up for the email list to get all the details as they unfold.   The contest winner for June will be announced soon and prizes can be claimed at the next Carolina Million After 5.  Hope to see everyone there.

Check out photos from June's CMAF












- posted by Matt @ 6:34 AM

Wednesday, May 30, 2007
BLOC party

I went to a Business after hours function called BLOC at Sunset this evening and this has to be one of the best networking events out there.  Enough so that I'm publishing the information to the Carolina Million Blog.     BLOC stands for Business Leaders of Charlotte.  They meet the last Wednesday of every month at the Sunset Club.  I've met a ton of smart, interesting people through this event.  I promoted The Carolina Million of course. 

- posted by Matt @ 3:22 PM

Thursday, May 17, 2007
New Advertiser manages your Carolina millions

Since joining Consolidated Planning in 2000, Keith has been working with and educating individuals, families, and businesses, helping increase their confidence in their financial decisions.  “I strive to become my client’s most trusted advisor by putting their needs first,” says Keith.

He is particularly strong at explaining various financial products and strategies and communicating them in a way that makes it easy for the client to understand.  By looking at finances from a holistic point of view, he works with his clients to verify that the decisions they are making are in their best interest.
Contact him at 704-552-8507 or go to his website at www.keithtaylor.BIZ for more information.

Click the dollar sign on thecarolinamillion.com for more details

- posted by Matt @ 7:30 PM

Thursday, May 10, 2007
The Carolina Million After Five Returns!!

The first Carolina Million After 5 was a success so we've decided to hold it on the 2nd Wednesday of every month. Next month features live acoustic rock from Brendan of 4brendan.com. The next CMAF will be bigger and better. June's CMAF is also brought to you by Party Time Events.

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Email info@thecarolinamillion.com or call 704-293-5049

We'll sponsor beer specials and FREE food as well as give away some FREE stuff. It will be held at Tyber Creek Pub from 6 - 8 PM on Wednesday June 13, 2007.

Everyone is invited to attend, this is a FREE event. Come out and meet the people behind the pixels. Please RSVP here

- posted by Matt @ 7:30 AM

Wednesday, April 11 2007
Carolina Million After Five

The first ever Carolina Million after hours social event is planned for Wednesday, May 9. We'll sponsor the first keg and give away some FREE stuff. Join the email list for the location and time of this event.

We plan on having many Carolina Million advertisors attending the event as well as fans of the site. Contest winners will hopefully be in attendance to share their secrets to success. Everyone is invited to attend, this is a FREE event. Come out and meet the people behind the pixels. Please RSVP here

Carolina Million ads have received over 20,000 clicks since launch!

- posted by Matt @ 8:36 AM

Thursday, April 3 2007
New Carolina Cash Contest

CLUE
"This Lake Norman restaurant offers a unique tapas-style menu, martinis, a full wine list and full entrees upon request.  It is a great spot to socialize, relax and hang out with friends"

The 5th, 10 and 15th submissions will win this month. Not sure how to play?
Great prizes are available this month:

• $100 cash
• $25 gift certificate at the sponsoring restaurant
• Free massage at LKN massage ($100 value)

And everyone gets a T-shirt while supplies last. If you won a T-shirt and haven't received it, then please let me know.  

Congrats to March Contest Winners
Alex is the March winner of $100 cash

Colin (left) won a free tax return and consulation from Powderly CPA

Check The Carolina Million contest page for the promotional code.

- posted by Matt @ 8:30 AM

Thursday, March 15, 2007
Find Solace in Carolina Million

Solace Restaurant is the newest advertiser on The Carolina Million.
Solace features smaller-portion entrees that groups of family or friends share around the table. It also has an extensive wine list and martinis. Full-size entrees are also available.

Solace will has about 150 seats and include dining and lounge areas, a private dining room and a bar,

'At tapas-style restaurants, it's all about sharing, joining your friends, socializing, trying new things,' owner Brian Johnston said. 'You're going to walk in and be very relaxed and enjoy food, drink and friends.'

The menu features 24 smaller-portion entrees called 'tapatizers' that groups of family or friends share around the table. They range from $5 to $13 and include such selections as lobster and thyme croquettes, Thai shrimp pizza, pan-seared duck and roasted vegetable pate. Salads and full-size entrees are also available

- posted by Matt @ 7:18 AM

Monday, March 5, 2007
BuyCenterCity.com added

The newest ad on TheCarolinaMillion.com is BuyCenterCity.com  (designed by bitFlip). This website is the definitive source for real estate in Uptown Charlotte and the surrounding area.   The site includes:

• Detailed listings of all new residential construction in uptown/center city neighborhoods 
• An interactive map of uptown and surrounding neighborhoods
• Center city community information about sports, attractions, bars/restaurants, schools, etc.
• Real estate educational resources
• Property listings in the Charlotte metro region
• Featured property listings
• Private tours of Uptown Charlotte region courtesy of Ragin' Uptown

- posted by Matt @ 9:07 PM

Thursday, February 22, 2007
Total Beauty Salon and Spa added

Total Beauty Salon and Spa offers spa services at SALON prices.  Check out their new ad on The Carolina Million and click to check out their My Space page.   Haircuts start at just $11.  Lose 2-10 inches with a 20-minute body wrap for just $20.  Total Beauty Salon and Spa specializes in hair care for the whole family.



Total Beauty Salon and Spa
Open Tuesday - Saturday from 9am - 7pm.  Call 704-492-0069 to schedule an appointment.  Tell them the Carolina Million sent you

- posted by Matt @ 9:06 PM

Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Armin's Catering is the newest advertiser

 

- posted by Matt @ 9:04 PM

Wednesday, January 31, 2007
First Carolina Cash Contest of 2007

• $100 cash
  
• One hour of FREE tax consultation and $100 credit towards a tax return courtesy of Powderly CPA, PLLC.  The firm is also donating $10 from every tax return to   The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the Prostate Cancer Foundation.   
  
• Two exclusive tickets to the Bobcats-76ers game on Friday night, Feb. 23.  (The seats are right under the Rock the Rooftop bar). ($80 value)
  
• One of two available gift certificates for a FREE massage at LKN massage   

Friday, January 26, 2007
Powderly CPA is the newest advertiser

Powderly CPA, PLLC   is the newest advertiser and the first accounting firm to be added to The Carolina Million. 

Powderly CPA, PLLC is a locally owned and operated CPA firm that specializes in personal and small business tax preparation and consulting. 

This year Powderly CPA, PLLC will be donating money from each tax return it prepares during the 2007 tax season.  For each Individual and Business tax return that Powderly CPA, PLLC prepares, the firm will be donating $5 to both The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and $5 to the Prostate Cancer Foundation. 

The goal this year is to donate a total of $2,500 from our 2007 tax preparation season. With the help of a few new associates this year, Jim Powderly believes this a reachable goal.  But in all honesty, he is confident that they will surpass this goal. 

Thursday, January 4, 2007
Happy New Year

Carolina Contests in 2007 bigger and better
There is no contest in January because we are feverishly putting together new prize packages for 2007.  Also we are renovating the website and freshening up the design.  New features will include an articles section, events section and more advertiser specials.  The next Carolina Million contest will be announced in February except for those of you on the email list who will receive the clue early.  Stay tuned for bigger and better prizes.

Thanks for making 2006 a great first year for The Carolina Million.      

December Carolina Gift Contest

Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Best Year Ever 2006

Thank you for making our first nine months in business the best year ever.. The Carolina Million started March 3rd with a blank screen and a dream. Since then we've added 32 advertisers who have received over 12,000 clicks. Over 75,000 people (mostly locals but as far away as India) have visited the site. And the concept is working. Our advertisers have closed deals, received more business and increased exposure as a direct result of The Carolina Million.

Carolina Contest

In nine short months we've given away over $2000 in cash and prizes through the monthly contest. And there is more where that came from in 2007. Special thanks to our marketing partners who include the monthly contest clue in their email list including ElevateCharlotte.com, Lazyday.com, LKNfun.com and Ragin' Uptown. That's over 30,000 people not including The Carolina Million email list where you get the clue early.

The Carolina Million in 2007

It will be a break out year for The Carolina Million. You will see more Carolina Million advertising around town, hopefully some press and new features including an articles page and feedback page. We will announce a new pricing structure soon that allows for advertisers to purchase monthly, yearly and/or two-year ads at different price levels. Also we will be able to accept all forms of credit cards in addition to PayPal payments online.

- posted by Matt @ 10:32 AM

Friday, December 1, 2006
December Gift Contest

Friday, November 17, 2006
Carolina Million Holiday Party Scaled Back

The Carolina Million Holiday Party had to be scaled back because of space limitations with the building.  However, for the one-year anniversary party in March I will find a bigger building to accomodate everyone.  This party will feature cash, prizes and more.  There will be a smaller holiday party for advertisers only.

- posted by Matt @ 8:54 AM

Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Celebrate the holidays with The Carolina Million and friends....

This will be the one holiday party that you don't want to miss this year. In addition to FREE food and drink, prizes from The Carolina Million will be awarded by random drawing during the party.  Prizes include Bobcats tickets, Lake Norman Therapeutic Massage gift certificate, Tshirts and more!. The December Cash Contest Clue will be announced exclusively at this party. You won't get the clue anywhere else. Everyone on the The Carolina Million email list is invited.  This will be a great chance to meet people brought together by pixels!  To get full details just join the Email List.

The holiday party is brought to you by i3 Realty,  Arch Lending Group, Powderly CPA, and The Carolina Million.

- posted by Matt @ 3:22 PM

Wednesday, November 1, 2006
November Cash Contest Clue announced....

Wednesday, October 25, 2006
New Advertiser - Lake Norman Therapeutic Massage (LKNmassage.com)

Take a deep breath and relax.  The Carolina Million now has a massage therapist on the grid.  Lake Norman Therapeutic Massage is not your typical "spa" massage. Lake Norman Therapeutic Massage owners, Leslie Monger and Bob Weir,   are Neuromuscular therapists, specially trained in muscle related pain patterns.   These guys know what they are doing.  Types of massages include Hot Stone Massage, Thai Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Sports Massage, Swedish Massage and more. Body Rejuvenation,a division of Lake Norman Therapeutic Massage, offers Detox Body Wraps, Skin Exfoliation, Paraffin Wax Hand & Feet, Prenatal Massage and Massage Therapy. Leslie and Bob are also massage therapists for UNCC and Davidson college's athletic departments. Let them show you what a difference a "real" therapeutic massage can make.

- posted by Matt @ 10:38 AM

Wednesday, October 15, 2006
Elevate Article and New Advertiser

Check out the issue of Elevate Magazine this month for an article about The Carolina Million.  I sat down with the editor for an interview and explained the site.  Check out the article here Elevate is one the hippest publications in Charlotte and it fits in your back pocket!  It includes dynamic photography, well-written articles and timely events.  

Fat City Lofts = Newest Carolina Million advertiser
Fat City Lofts is an exciting new condominium project in the hippest area of town,  NoDa.  Noda is one of the most unique places to live in Charlotte.  I enjoy the laid back atmosphere, art crawls, and the fact that no banks are in site.  In addition the local restaurants, music venues and art galleries are superb.  You can't find anywhere like NoDa, it's an oasis with an eclectic mix of young professionals, artists, musicians and entrepreneurs.  Fat City Lofts will be located in the heart of it all in possibly the best location in the neighborhood.  It will be built over the historic remnants of Fat City Deli which at one time was the heart and soul of punk rock in Charlotte.

Fat City Lofts overlook the North Davidson street scape and adjoin restaurants, galleries and shops. The Lofts are a short walk from the Johnston YMCA and the Neighborhood Theater, and only minutes away from uptown Charlotte. Now Fat City’s funky past meets the dynamic here and now in Fat City Lofts. Upscale. Upbeat. Twenty-six one of a kind urban living spaces located minutes from uptown Charlotte. Designed to respond to the local setting of the NoDa district, Fat City Lofts incorporates the facade of a locally famous restaurant/pub and has been conceived so that the exterior of the building is broken down into smaller parts in order to relate to the scale of the existing context. 
 
- posted by Matt @ 7:52 AM

Thursday, October 5, 2006
New TCM (The Carolina Million) Features

New Feature #1
List your business for FREE and Full Directory page.  Keep in mind,  this is a simple business listing with a link to your business.  If you want the full-blown Carolina Million promotion machine, you have to buy pixels.  

What does buying pixels get you? 
1) A linked graphic on the grid
2) a descriptive losing in the advertiser directory and the full directory with star beside listing 
3) A large New advertiser image
4)  Descriptive mention in weekly email blast
5) Links on Top Clicks page, testimonials page (if you want)
6) Opportunity to sponsor the cash contest and more.  

So you can see that a FREE business listing is minuscule compared to what you get for buying pixels at just $0.50/ea.  A note to current advertisers:  Don't fret,  the new Full Directory page with  free business listings will make your listing stand out even more because your listing will have a description and a yellow star beside it.  The basic idea is to bring more people to the site on a regular basis and therefore increase clicks on your ads.

New Feature #2
Add your testimonials online.  This is a good way to add yet another link to your site.  That is as long as your Carolina Million experience has been a successful venture :).  There is a link to add your testimonial on the testimonials page.  Simply submit the form and viola!

- posted by Matt @ 1:57 PM

Sunday, October 1, 2006
October $100 Contest Announced

That's right, you win $100 simply for visiting the site.  Just be the 5th person to find the graphic and submit the form to my inbox   Kyle Getson did it and pocketed $100 in September.  There is not an easier way to make money in the world.  Here's October's CLUE:

OCTOBER CLUE:
"Need a mortgage? This is a full-service mortgage company with over 10 yrs. experience serving the Carolina region and they are 1st for a reason"

Promotional Code: 
"OktoberFest "

The 5th person to find the special Carolina Million graphic wins $100 and a FREE Carolina Million T-shirt the first four win a FREE Carolina Million T-shirt.

- posted by Matt @ 1:32 PM

Thursday, September 28, 2006
It's been awhile....

Even The Carolina Million owner takes a break sometimes, however the site is up 24/7.  I've been spending time with family and watching a lot of college football this month.  In the meantime five advertisers joined the Carolina Million ranks since my last update.  And speaking of family, one of the advertisers is LKNweddings.com, where family begins. 

LKNweddings.com
This site is one-stop shop for all of your local wedding and post-wedding needs.  Not only will you find caterers, wedding planners, djs etc.  but also businesses for your needs after the wedding.  For instance mortgage companies, discount furniture, travel agencies, and realtors.LKNweddings.com promotes vendors who believe in providing their customers with products and services based on quality, value, honesty, integrity, and dependability.

BestBarsCharlotte.com
This website details four of the best bars in uptown Charlotte.  If you have friends visiting or want to tell someone where to go in Charlotte, just mention bestbarscharlotte.com.  It's as simple as that.  BestBarsCharlotte.com is an eclectic mix of Uptown bars including The Attic-a modern feel with flat screen TVs and live music,  Madison's - an upscale social establishment for relaxing and unwinding,  Connolly's-An authentic irish pub that makes St. Patrick's day a year-round event,  and Tyber Creek Pub-An irish pub in historic Southend Charlotte.  Visit the site to see for yourself.

Havana Social Club
Our first advertiser for all you dancing enthusiasts.  If you like "Dancing with the Stars"  then this is the place for you.  The concept of the Havana  Social Club is taken from the social clubs in Havana, Cuba in the 1950's. The Havana  Social Club offers a variety of events and services for its members. We are committed to bringing back the art of social dance by offering our members private ballroom dance instruction as well as group ballroom dance classes. This club offers elegance for any occasion including private parties, wedding receptions, and anniversaries. The Havana opens as a dance club on Friday nights offering theme nights, live floor shows, a full service bar and preservable sections for private parties.

Madison's Bar and Lounge
Charlotte’s premier social establishment is the perfect place to entertain clients or go out for the night with friends. Relax and unwind in our oversized victorian-style couches. Experience the highest caliber of service in an inviting atmosphere of dark woods, lush granite and a beautiful stone backbar. Madison’s offers an immense menu of premium spirits, cigars and wine selections. Phenomenal live jazz

Purpose Driven Study Group
There's something you were created to be and do that no one else fits the bill for.  Have you found out yet what that is?  We'd love to walk through the discovery process with you.  Join us for a nine week "Purpose Driven Life" study coming soon to Uptown.  To find out more, email us for details!  We'll get right back to you.  Sign up for their E-newsletter and see for yourself what all the buzz is about!

- posted by Matt @ 7:56 AM

Thursday, August 31, 2006
6-month review

To say the first 6-months of a never-been-done-locally-before-business has many ups and downs is an understatement. The vast majority of the time people's comments are very favorable and complimentary about this site. "Wow, what a great idea", "I wish I would have thought of it", "An innovative marketing tool" are just a few of the comments. However, like every first-of-its-kind businesses, there are naysayers and doubters. These are the people that serve to put more gas in my tank. One look at the testimonials page will tell you that the concept is working. Our traffic numbers are not huge, but we are just out of the starting gate. The full scale vision for this site is not close to completion.

In just six short months, this site has blown away any expectations I had in the beginning. Launched on March 3, 2006, the site now has 35 advertisers and the number is growing every week. I'm stil amazed when I run into a stranger that has visited the site and heard of it. I'm even more amazed by the response from the Carolina Cash Contest. Last month I received over 50 submissions for the contest which was sponsored by The 2006 Grin Kids Golf Tournament and The Galway Hooker Pub. To date I've given away $550 to cash contestant winners with much more to come. In the future I'm consider running three simultaneous contests with different dollar values. What do you think?

Has the site been more work than anticipated? Yes. Has it been worth it? Undoubtedly. I've met great people and new friends. Businesses I've never heard of are now clients. I've used many of my advertisers for personal use. All of them deliver top-notch service and now have another loyal customer. Metro Steamway cleaned my carpets, John Horohoe helped in real estate transaction, 1st Mortgage helped with a home loan, Elevate Mag-Uptown Mag- Lazyday.com-LKNfun.com-704events.com-Mingleberry.com all of with whom I've advertised. Go Social Club where I'm a member, Ad Concepts did my Carolina Million T-shirts, Racing Limos and Ragin' Uptown provided unique transportation, the list goes on and on and I give my stamp of approval to all advertisers on The Carolina Million. It has truly been a memorable experience. Thank you for everyone's support and keep on clickin'.

- posted by Matt @ 7:45 AM

Friday, August 18, 2006
A musician and promotional products

In addition,  the Cackalacky Film Festival 1st Annual Golf Invitational is coming September 18, 2006.  $10,000 hole in one prizes, $1,000 putting contests all to help support the festival.   The tournament takes place at The Tradition Golf Club, 3800 Prosperity Church Rd. 1:30 PM shotgun start, registration begins at 12:00 PM.  Sponsorships are still available.  More information here  Please support this much needed Film Festival in Charlotte

- posted by Matt @ 6:00 PM

Wednesday, August 9, 2006
A musician and promotional products

The Carolina Million added two more exciting businesses and categories to the pixel grid - Ad Concepts by Teresa in the promo products category and Brendan in the Music category.

As the the sole owner-operator of Ad Concepts by Teresa, she can offer discounted pricing on thousands of
imprintable items from hundreds of suppliers. Whether you need t-shirts, hats, magnets, pens, mugs, cookies, candy, or tableware with your logo, Teresa can get it for you! Teresa can also provide customized on-hold messages for businesses, without the long-term contracts required by most message-on-hold companies!

Charlotte-based singer/songwriter Brendan has been playing acoustic guitar and writing songs for over 10 years. His
brand of laid-back acoustic folk rock is perfect for local coffeeshops, bars, or outdoor venues and events. His original & cover set list reflects
influences of The Eagles, Paul Simon, Bob Marley, Crowded House, and Duncan Sheik among others. Just look for the letter B on The Carolina
Million It's the small ad for a big sound!


- posted by Matt @ 7:45 AM

Thursday, July 27, 2006
First to bowl a perfect game

704Events.com is the first advertiser to 300 total clicks after burning up the charts by sponsoring the Carolina Contest. The surprising thing is that 704Events.com did not join the Carolina Million until April 25, 2006, meaning the ad amassed 300 clicks in under 3 months! I haven't spoken to the owner but I'm sure that the site saw quite a spike in traffic these last three months. Several people have asked me about the company as a result of the ad. Through the duration of the Carolina Contest 704events.com set another record by receiving over 135 clicks in one month. The graphic was not easy to find this month, but we still received over 20 entries. They all learned quite a bit about 704events.com by browsing the site looking for the special Carolina Million graphic.

The person who did find the graphic was Kenny Bridges, Kenny cashed in $100 for finding the graphic first. There were also some great discounts available exclusively to people that found the graphic after Kenny. And we had a bonus contest this month sponsored by drobart.com. Chin Chew won the bonus contest and walked away with $50 cash. The other 10 people that found the graphic received a great deal on artwork. David Robinson, the owner of drobart.com still has the offer on the table, so if you find the graphic you'll receive a 25% discount on one-of-a-kind artwork. I have one hanging on my wall and receive compliments all the time. He is one of the hidden gem artists in the Southeast. You can find the clue and the promotional code in the Contest section.

- posted by Matt @ 7:45 AM

Friday, July 7, 2006
Get your Carolina Million T-shirts coming soon

I'm excited to announce that The Carolina Million Tshirts will be coming to a torso near you! I'm currently working on the design which will feature a screenshot with all current advertisers on the back. This is another great indirect benefit for Carolina Million advertisers. The shirts will be given away at events and to people who find the Carolina Million graphic during the monthly Carolina Million contest.

- posted by Matt @ 7:30 AM

Saturday. July 1, 2006
New contest

Congratulations to Shannon Carmichael, winner of the June 2006 Carolina Cash Contest. Read all about the July 2006 Carolina Contest. It started July 1, 2006. Even if someone has already won the cash you can receive special discounts to service. And if you find it early you will be included on the email list for early announcement on next month's contest.

- posted by Matt @ 8:15 PM

Friday, June 30, 2006
New ads

Wednesday June 7, 2006
The day after

Two more advertisers joined a day after 6/6/06 and hope to experience the same good luck that other Carolina Million advertisers have experienced. Julie Tache and Premier Magazine are the two newest advertisers.

Julie Tache ... Homes with Cachet Your one-stop source for real estate services covering Charlotte, NC and it's surrounding areas. Real estate is one of the most exciting investments one can make, and it should be a fun and rewarding experience. At JulieTache.com you'll find everything you'll need to buy or sell a home, as well as learn about the market value of homes you may own in the area. Visit her informative website www.julietache.com

Premier Magazine is a FREE high-end, glossy publication packed with coupons from 4 different locations. The Premier Magazine is published and distributed in Charlotte, Lake Norman, Raleigh, Salisbury and Prince William County Virginia. Check out their brand new website at thepremiermagazine.com for coupons from the Lake Norman area. There is a special coupon for Carolina Million pixels in the Summer 2006 LKN Premier Magazine that you may find interesting.

June 2006 Carolina Cash Contest

Congratulations to Lauren Hargett, winner of the May 2006 Carolina Cash Contest. Read all about the June 2006 Carolina Contest. It started June 1, 2006. Even if someone has already won the cash you can receive special discounts to service. And if you find it early you will be included on the email list for early announcement on next month's contest.

- posted by Matt @ 8:15 PM

Thursday May 18, 2006
Uptown Magazine

Wednesday May 10, 2006
Three more advertisers and new contest

Three more advertisers from a variety of industries have joined Carolina Million. One ad is for a new real estate development, one is a social club, and one is an online guide. The Carolina Million is very diverse and not specific to any one industry. The intention is for The Carolina Million to truly be a snapshot of the Carolinas and surrounding region.

Go Social Club
The Go Social Club runs a variety of events designed to get people out
and active in the community. Their goal is to provide an environment where
our members can make new friends and take advantage of all the social
outlets Charlotte and the surrounding areas have to offer.

Mingleberry.com
MingleBerry is your GUIDE to Charlotte's most premier social, dining and
cultural events. MingleBerry provides up-to-date information on all club
scenes, bar specials, upcoming concerts, and much more. Our commitment is
to provide you with a jump-start on the most popular places to be.

The Tremont
A new project with the charm and elegance of style taken from the Historic Dilworth neighborhood – be prepared to see why The Tremont can set itself apart from its competition!  The Tremont was designed with sensitivity to those looking for an “urban” lifestyle in central Charlotte that still like the characteristics and architecture that have made this area so popular. This isn’t your everyday loft project – if you are ready for the best of the past and of the new, they are ready for you!

The May Carolina Cash contest has begun. Check the contest page for more details. . 

- posted by Matt @ 6:15 PM

Monday May 1, 2006
We have a winner! Congrats to Kacie Yacobellis!

Congratulations to Kacie Yacobellis, winner of the first Carolina Million Cash Give-away. Kacie, pictured right, received $100 cash for finding the special Carolina Million graphic on The Hickory Tavern website. The graphic is displayed on this page: http://www.thehickorytavern.com/management.php at the bottom right of the page.

Stay tuned for this month's CASH give-away contest to be announced soon.  

- posted by Matt @ 6:15 PM

Wednesday April 26, 2006
Two new advertisers

Metro Steamway

Metro Steamway is a carpet and upholstery cleaning service with 18 years of experience. With their expertise, you can have a cleaner, healthier environment and beautiful carpet, rugs and upholstery.

• Hot water extraction with truck-mounted systems.
• Professionally trained and IICRC certified technicians.
• Shoe covers are furnished at no charge if you need to walk on your carpet before it is dry.
• No hidden charges.

Metro Steamway can even give you advice on how to prolong the life of your carpets, saving you money in the long run. If you think professional carpet cleaning is expensive, get a quote on replacing your carpet. It's always more cost efficient to maintain a carpet rather than replace it.

704events.com

7zero4events.com is about community. This company is about bringing together
all the best and most wonderful things about Charlotte and the surrounding
area. Whether it's the live music scene, nightlife, Non-profit organizations
or events for children and teens it all matters.

Their mission is to give the community of Charlotte one place to find all the
events in the 704 area code. They compile information given to us into one
convenient easy to navigate calendar with great visuals and all the
important details giving tools like, the remind me feature and the email a
friend feature, so you can share information and not forget an important
event. You can post your events for free!

- posted by Matt @ 8:00 PM

Friday April 21, 2006
High Traffic and Lazydays

It's been quite a week here at The Carolina Million. We recently had our highest traffic day of 54 unique visitors and our highest week of 250 unique visitors with over 350 page views. That's almost double the previous week. Since The Carolina Million launched on March 3, 2006 the site has received 1700 visits. In addition traffic is increasing significantly with each passing week.

Lazyday.com is the newest advertiser. Their ad is the first to be placed on the new Charlotte graphic on the bottom left of the grid. Lazyday is your online source for Charlotte and Wilmington nightlife.  With new nightlife photos posted every week this site is a must-see.  The popular comments section allows users to leave feedback and carry on conversations.  The site also boasts a comprehensive directory of Charlotte and Wilmington hotspots. Check out Lazyday to see the newest Carolina Million advertisement. 

- posted by Matt @ 6:00 PM

Monday April 17, 2006
ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM

- posted by Matt @ 8:00 PM

Wednesday April 5, 2006
Carolina Update

It's been crazy lately. The Carolina Million is now featured in two publications, three websites and indoor advertising across the Charlotte area. The word is starting to get out! Two more businesses are set to advertise.

The Carolina Contest is still open. No one has found the graphic. Trust me, it is out there. You will have to do some searching but it is there on one of our current advertisers' site. As soon as someone fills out the form and enters the promotional code "queen277", I will write a check for $100 cash and put it in the mail.

- posted by Matt @ 11:00 PM

Thursday March 23, 2006
Elevate Magazine advertisement

A full page Carolina Million ad will be in next month's Elevate Magazine. The magazine is distributed in over 100 locations around Charlotte. The ad will be similar to the Creative Loafing ad displayed below with some variation. Elevate Magazine and Entertainment also signed up for an ad on The Carolina Million. Check it out on the home page.

- posted by Matt @ 8:00 AM

Wednesday March 22, 2006
Official Carolina Million ad campaign launched

The Creative Loafing ad is in today's edition on page 81 and page 96. The ad will be run in next week's paper with current advertisers' featured. In other news our first realtor signed up to advertise on Carolina Million. John Horohoe with Helen Adams Realty has several listings available for viewing on his site. Click on his ad to check it out.

- posted by Matt @ 11:00 PM

Friday March 17, 2006
First look at Creative Loafing ad

Here is the first look at The Carolina Million ad that will be in the March 22nd Creative Loafing. (The ad is subject to change) A similar ad will be used for indoor advertisements with AllOver Media.

- posted by Matt @ 8:00 AM

Tuesday March 14, 2006
LKNfun.com article

LKNfun.com posted a new article about the Carolina Million. The article explains the site and the idea behind it. Please take a look at what hopefully will be the first of many articles written about The Carolina Million. View the article

- posted by Matt @ 7:30 AM

Monday March 13, 2006
Creative Loafing ad campaign

I met with a Creative Loafing salesperson today. The Carolina Million will be advertised in the two weekly papers starting March 22. It will be a quarter page ad in the food and music sections. Everyone I've met with about this site seems really excited about the potential. Let's hope Creative Loafing readers will be just as excited. I'll post the Ad as soon as it is ready.

- posted by Matt @ 5:30 PM

Thursday March 9, 2006
New Top Click Feature

A new feature has been added. Now you can view the number of clicks your ad is receiving. Click on the "Top Clicks" link in the header. The site received the most traffic ever yesterday and traffic has steadily increased since launching. I'm expecting a few more advertisers before the weekend and then more promotional advertising next week.

- posted by Matt @ 6:00 PM

Tuesday March 7, 2006
Two more!

Two more ads have been added. Galway Hooker Pub and Waterford Hall signed on with Carolina Million making a grand total of 12 advertisers and 17,700 pixels reserved. I really didn't expect this type of response, but good things often happen unexpectedly.

I added a new feature. You can now sign up for email updates on the site. Be the first to know about any press coverage, new advertisements and features.

- posted by Matt @ 11:30 PM

Monday March 6, 2006
Promotional ad on LKNfun.com!

We are gaining momentum! Check out the first promotional ad for The Carolina Million on LKNfun.com. It's in the left hand column in the middle section. This is the first of many promotional Ads that will drive traffic to The Carolina Million which will in turn increase traffic to our advertisers' site. All funds from the initial advertisers will go directly towards promoting the site.

One more business signed on today, Drob Art . I'm starting to get more and more emails inquiring about the site. So far there are 13,600 pixels sold and 960,800 still available. There is definitely a buzz about this site. As soon as 50,000 pixels are sold I will try to the best of my ability to get the local media involved.

I'm in the process of getting links on local sites including Ragin' Uptown, bitFlip, Luxury Yacht Charters and Catering Creations. If you would like a Carolina Million link on your website, fill out the contact form and I will send you a logo.

- posted by Matt @ 7:00 PM

Friday March 3, 2006
Site Launched!