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Use List.ly For Gifts And Curation

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This is my first share of a list via List.ly. And, the most absolutely astonishingly amazing thing is that I did not do it myself.

I was gifted of this list by none other than Jackson Middleton, who tweets and is of, and claims he’s “wearing a kilt right now” with coffee mug in hand. And another thing? I’ve never tweeted or engaged this wonderful man who came bearing gifts in the night.

Or, perhaps he didn’t and this was all part of some secret research I’m not privy to. Mr. Middleton was not available for tweets this early in the day, so my assumption is that this here below is a GIFT!

About Jackson Middleton

He writes a blog My favorite blog headline of all is his,

He is doing the best-ever mortgage, real estate and broker blog in all of Canada and perhaps in the U.S. Take a look at

I thought Nick Kellet was doing my content audit for his recent project for and I was cringing for those results. Nick, are you? Is Jackson your secret team member on your project? When I went up to List.ly and saw this list of 25 of my most recent blog posts on a list, my jaw dropped.

Sad, that I cannot seem to embed the list here, so I’ll suffice with an image and a link.

View more from

Using List.ly

This tool offers so many #RockHot opportunities.

  • You can gift someone as Jackson the Kilt Wearer did for me.
  • You can curate topics and people on a list to lure folks to participate.
  • You can do a personal branding list, which I did and it actually garnered traffic to my blog.
  • You can participate on others’ lists and add your  favorites. Heck, you can be sure your own blog is added, too!

I don’t even have this tool mastered one iota (so glad I could use that word), but the sky is the limit.

What can you share here about your List.ly experiences? Obviously, you can learn from a Ninja — Mr. Jackson Middleton!

 

Tennis Balls And Twitter Peeps!

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A Tennis ball Author: User:Fcb981

A Tennis ball Author: User:Fcb981 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Along the top of Brian Vickery’s blog’s navigation menu is a list of clickable links to blog posts about sports. For all but one, I have a quick note:

  • In high school, I was probably the worst basketball player ever.
  • I played in the all-star co-ed 12″ softball game and ripped the webbing between pointer and ring man on my right hand playing second base.
  • I currently play USTA 4.0 tennis.
  • I just got my yellow belt in taekwondo (watch for my reaction to that evening in an upcoming Happy Friday Series post).
  • I played flag football in Chicago rec leagues and LOVED the adrenaline rush.
  • I coached kidlet’s rec soccer for five seasons.
  • I work out, but should do more.

What’s that all got to do with anything?

The cool part is it gives me seven good reasons why I can write for Brian Vickery and belong…besides the fact that he made one of the first guest appearances for my Soulati Media On The Street series, and I’ve had the privilege of meeting him IRL twice.

Far-Fetched Sports Analogy

Whew, now that we have our bonding straight, let’s dive in and cover off on one really far-fetched sports analogy with social media.

As I play tennis about six hours weekly, I also pick up several hundred tennis balls using a hopper, that metal ball picker upper. If you try to jam three balls in between the grooves, you struggle. If you grab two balls at a time, there’s no problem. If there are oodles of balls collected in the corner, you kneel and use your hands; it’s faster.

There are so many was to pick up tennis balls:

  • Do you first grab the errant singles spread around the service line?
  • Do you start in the corner of the court by the tarp and work toward the center?
  • Do you find the half-way mark and move right or left toward the corner?
  • Do you pick up the fewest balls and leave the most to others?

You absolutely get my drift. I wrote about tennis balls and business strategy once, but today, I’m just writing about tennis balls and social media. There is no right way to pick up tennis balls; they all get picked up regardless, but it’s sure fun thinking about it (work with me).

Twitter Peeps Are Tennis Balls

Now, think of each person you interact with on Twitter as a tennis ball. I’ll give you a minute to visualize all the peeps who tweet as a tennis ball.

They could be Wilson, Prince or Dunlop. They could have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 numbers. They could be Pro balls, training balls with dots or different colors.

All those balls in the corners, collecting? That’s your live stream of all the followers tweeting all day long. On occasion, you take a look and pick through a few for a good retweet; just like picking out the best balls to serve with.

How about the balls that are your favorite brand? I always liked playing with Dunlop best, perhaps it’s because it makes tires. Wilson balls always stink; they seem to lose their bounce fastest. Prince balls are decent, reliable; no complaints.

In your Twitter stream are there Dunlops you’ve favorited into a list to track what they say? How about the Wilsons who seem to be less bouncy with little energy? Do you unfollow or ignore? And, I love those Princes who aren’t really royalty, but they’re certainly loyal.

We’re not going into racquets for this piece, as this tennis ball analogy is as far fetched and grasping at straws as I can get. Eh, Brian?

So, the next time you hit your HootSuite dashboard and see the left-most column of hundreds and hundreds of tweets streaming in, take a peek in that corner to find the best ball and serve it up to your stream as a courtesy.

When you see a peep having a downer day, and perhaps he’s a Wilson, give him a volley with a bit of snap to share some energy for a healthy rally.

For those Princes you rely on as your doubles partner? Keep their feet moving with fancy content so the team wins the match.

But, remember this…every ball, regardless of whether it’s flat or bouncy finds its way into the hopper. That goes the same for your stream of peeps, too…treat each like a tennis ball and everyone gets picked up.

 

This post originally appeared July 1, 2013 on Brian Vickery’s Social Media Sports Analogies Blog

 

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11 Inspired Nudges to Fuel Your Business Book

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jayme-soulati-blogging-book-cover.jpg

Photo Credit: Jayme Soulati via iPhone 4S on AA flight to LA

Ever thought of writing a book? Don’t tell me you haven’t! Everyone is writing a book, and that either makes you feel left out or jazzed up.

If you have a bucket list, writing a book may be one of your yet-to-achieve items. Because self-publishing is the latest trend to hit the book world, there’s no better time than the present to jump on board and self-publish already.

Self-publish? How did that word hit you?

Some have a negative reaction to we who self-publish our first tome. My first business book has been out a few weeks, Writing with Verve on the Blogging Journey. The concern is that bloggers who write books are not legitimate authors. (I know this to be true, as I heard it from someone directly.)

Bah-humbug!

When you have an archive full of content hardly seeing the light of day, then why not compile these posts into a collection of insights?

Bloggers have keen opinions and are usually remarkable teachers. They offer vibrant thought, lead perspective and showcase talent from years of writing and perusing others’ writings. Check into your archives and see if a book is ready to pop from under the covers. Maybe you need a nudge of inspiration to help push your book into reality?

11 Book-Writing Tips and Nudges

1. Showcase Confidence. Overcome what’s challenging you about writing a business book. Business development, building your list, power for the brand, and achievement for the soul are significant reasons why authorship works. Understand that a book builds your cred; it’s an opportunity you’ll never regret.
2. Got topic? As mentioned above, start with your blog. Comb your archives and see what strikes you. There are topics you’ve tackled more frequently than others, and these posts become book fodder.
3. A blog is owned media! You own your blog and you write your posts. Owning all this content means you can re-purpose it into a business book easy enough. Add them to a document, sort, update, tweak, and off you go!
4. Do self-publish the first title. There’s nothing wrong with self-publishing; it enables a faster go-to-market strategy. It eliminates time on the front end and provides more time to market the title. Now that budding authors have the opportunity to self-publish, carpe diem! Did you know that Mark W. Schaefer self-published The Tao of Twitter?
5. Is an e-Book a book? If you prefer to launch a book online only, stop worrying that people won’t consider your e-book legit. It’s a common emotion, but guess what? You are writing the book for YOU. If people read and like it, that’s another discussion.
6. Invest in you. Write for you, write to achieve, write to invest in your future and your credibility. Printing a book on your own will require a financial investment; however, plan for it. Money is required to publish a book; but, it won’t break the bank.
7. Time is of the essence. As a professional blogger, you are familiar with time commitment. Your growth is along an ever-steepening path. Add your book project into the blogging queue. Instead of posting four times weekly, then only post two for awhile and use that writing time for your book. You learn to manage time better when it’s time spent building your brand.
8. What will peers and critics say? Ignore the naysayers. There will be people who don’t regard your work with value; others will say you’re not a “true” author. Put on the ear buds and listen to happy music! Perhaps you’re a blogger who wrote a book (like me), or you’re a bona fide writer who wrote a book…pray tell…what’s the difference?
9. Writing a book is necessary. Are you trying to monetize and earn money online? A book provides so many opportunities to help monetize from building a list, earning authority, speaking engagements, and business development.
10. Will anyone buy it?  An investment in time, talent and thought to craft your first title is NOT about making a profit. You are writing a business book to accomplish so much more for your growth professionally. If people buy it, then that’s a bonus. Lower your expectation about selling hundreds of books. You can be surprised later.
11. After the first title, more follow. Mark Schaefer does not recall this email to me about three years ago. I asked him where his book was, and he said, “Why should I write a book, everyone is!” Now look at him with three highly successful business books under his belt. Once you sit down to write the first, there’s a second title just beneath the surface. I know this from experience. My first title is just published, and my second is being written in my head right now.

The experience of the experience is the biggest reward you’ll have when you allow these inspirational nudges to push you into authorship. My bookshelf and Kindle always have room for one more title, and I bet yours do, too!

This post originally appeared on Mark W. Schaefer’s blog, Businesses Grow, on July 3, 2013.

Please Buy Jayme’s Book!

The e-book and soft cover are available via Amazon, right here!

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Does Your Marketing Pay It Forward?

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bowden-2-bowden.jpgTrust is the foundation stone of any successful relationship. If two people don’t trust each other, they constantly second guess the other’s motive and integrity. There is no opportunity for growth.

The relationship between a business and its customers is no exception to this rule. Customers can become intensely loyal to a particular brand, but only if they feel they can place their trust in that company. So the real question is, how can you make potential customers view your business as trustworthy?

The answer lies in social media marketing.

Why Is Social Media Such a Big Deal?

Social media has completely altered the face of Internet marketing. Previously, companies had to rely on emails, 1-800 numbers, and promotional events to connect with their customer base. But now, with the help of social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook, literally millions of customers are just a tweet or status update away. Twitter alone has around 500 million users.

Social media is different from most other marketing techniques because it is both simple and timely. Tweets are limited to a mere 140 characters, which means your message must be concise and relevant. People are constantly logging onto social media accounts to give and receive information, ideas, and opinions. For some, tweeting or updating their status comes before brushing their teeth or eating breakfast. In short, social media offers an immediate, dynamic, and personal way to connect with potential customers.

But How Can You Build Trust?

Many businesses grumble about the fact that they have tried this “social media thing” and not seen tangible benefit. It’s possible they have done everything right and somehow the gods of social media have simply deemed them unworthy. It is much more likely they are approaching social media marketing the wrong way.

We’ve already established social media is a completely different animal from conventional marketing strategies. It makes sense that businesses must approach it differently, as well. Traditional marketing is all about the business and the brand. It focuses on what the company has to offer and concerns itself with presenting an idea in the most appealing manner possible. To be successful in social media, the focus needs to shift to customers. People love social media because it provides a forum for sharing ideas and information. People want to be inspired, intrigued, and moved. If your company doesn’t offer content that is deemed valuable by social media users, you won’t gain a single customer.

So What Strategies Are Effective?

Being successful on Twitter is about the simple concept of paying it forward. If your company provides exceptional content, information, and insight without any brand or product flaunting, people will be drawn to it. It all goes back to that central idea of trust. When customers know they will receive interesting and relevant content from your company they are more likely to place their trust in your brand. They will want to talk about your company to their friends, family, and social media networks. Because social media is an opt-out society, users are completely in control of what brand messages reach them. Remember the core of social media is exactly that…being social. Once you establish trust, social media will become a huge boon for your brand.

 

About The Author

randy-bowden.jpg

Randy Bowden

Randy Bowden is a principal partner along with his wife, Shalah, of bowden2bowden llc, a marketing and branding consultancy firm. Specializing in developing targeted marketing solutions, exceptional creative executions and solid branding strategies that give clients a real competitive advantage. Our core team has the ability to scale quickly and effectively with trusted partners as needed. We consider them an integral part of our team and process. Our ability to approach challenging projects in an atmosphere of spirited cooperation leads to engaging, compelling solutions and successful work that yields desired results. Randy writes three posts weekly for their bowden2bowden blog.”

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The Happy Friday Series: Running To Happiness

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laura-click-marathon.jpgFor most of my life, I hated running.

Although I played sports growing up, running more than one lap around the track was pure torture to me.

I played volleyball and softball, which only required running in short spurts. And in track, I only sprinted a short distance before leaping into the sandpit for long jump or triple jump or running three-quarters of the way around the track peppered with hurdles.

Running was never my thing. It was purely a means to an end.

But, three years ago, that changed.

In 2010, I realized my metabolism wasn’t what it used to be and I needed to do something drastic to get my body back in shape.

So, I signed up for a half marathon.

A pretty crazy notion for someone who hated running and had never ran more than three miles. But, I joined a training program and was determined to reach this goal and prove to myself I could do it.

But, something happened along the way that I didn’t expect.

I actually started to enjoy running.

Running Improved Business, Health, Happiness

After finishing that first race, I was hooked. So far, I have run five half marathons and one full marathon.

So, why do I like running so much? Here are a few reasons:

It gives me much-needed time to think and de-stress. Spending time away from work, technology and other distractions is so rewarding. Sometimes, I just let my mind wander. And other times, I come up with blog post ideas or solve business issues while on a run. Either way, I enjoy the escape.

It forces me to get outside. As someone who sits in front of a computer all day, I often lament that I don’t get as much time outdoors as I would like. Running gives me the chance to see the beautiful world around me. I’ve witnessed spectacular sunrises, explored new places and have experienced the magic of running in the snow. Being in nature is good for my soul.

I’ve made new friends. I love the camaraderie of training with a running group. During the long runs, you have nothing to do but to talk and get to know the people around you. We talk about books, relationships and business. And, it’s incredibly rewarding to get to know people from different walks of life and work toward a goal together.

Running is Hard, But Rewarding

Before you think that running is all rainbows and unicorns, I’ll be honest. Long-distance running is tough.

Running my fist full marathon last fall was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. There are days I don’t want to get out the door. And, sometimes, there is pain, soreness and injury.

But, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Running has made me a stronger person – both mentally and physically. It’s given me mental toughness and has made me more confident in myself.

Running has also made me a better business owner. It’s no coincidence that I started running the same year I started my marketing company.

But, ultimately, running has made me a happier, healthier person.

Before you think I’m going to tell you to lace up your shoes and start running, I’m not.

But, I encourage you to look for a physical activity to try – not just because it’s good for your health, but also because it’s good for your spirit.

Are you a runner? If not, do you engage in some sort of physical activity or exercise? How does that contribute to your happiness?

About The Author

laura-click.jpgLaura Click is founder & CEO of Blue Kite Marketing, a Nashville-based digital marketing firm that builds and implements marketing strategies to help businesses reach new heights. You can connect with Laura on Twitter (@lauraclick) or by checking out her blog.

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