We’ve added a new (at least new for us at Epic Living) tool for the blog. Share This is a neat addition to each of our daily posts. It will allow you, the reader/subscriber, to…well…share the post with others.
I always appreciate your help in spreading the word about this blog and the ideas contained within.
If you’re involved in something where ideas need to be spread, I would highly recommend Share This.
We just made some additions and updates to the Waking Up site. Here is a link to the Media Information page. I am grateful to all of my subscribers who have referred me onto to outlets and organizations for engagements.
If you don’t know about the other things I do to spread the ideas of Waking Up, you can go to the Epic Services header to the right of this post to learn more. Better yet email me so we can begin the conversation.
OK, enough of the shameless plugs:)
First, let me say, if one of Oprah’s producers called/emailed me I would respond. But in the end, you and I don’t need Oprah. Do I have something against Oprah? Not in the least. It’s all about what’s the most effective way to leave a brilliant life behind you.
Kevin Kelly and Guy Kawasaki have some compelling arguments in support of the above. Even as you may see them as source of your desire.
The following list will give you more insight on why you don’t need Oprah (or anyone of her stature and scale):
Those who are authentically into what you are doing are waiting for you to provide true value. Don’t forget about their power.
Thought it was important to update this post. Originally written in 2008, it's a daily reminder that trust is important in words-written or spoken.
"I have never thought of writing for reputation and honor. What I have in my heart must come out, that is why I compose."
-Ludwig Von Beethoven
You may not need this post, but I'm going to proceed anyway. In the blogging world many talk about how to increase subscribers, increase hits/page views, or how to monetize the blog itself. Each of those efforts have merit. But why should someone who blogs want results like an increase in subscribers? I think many of us in the blogosphere have missed something in our motivations.
In a celebrity obsessed culture it is easy to get carried away by attention and notoriety. We forget what an authentic following means versus momentary infatuation. You could have a thousand subscribers, but does that really mean that something is being flipped? I don't think so. In my last days in corporate America I had a number of people who were "subscribers." Funny thing though, when I was escorted out my subscriber list fell dramatically. Did my ideas change? Did my expertise diminish? No, to all of those things and more. But my cache did.
So when I write (books, columns or blog posts) I make sure it comes from my heart. That way I can sleep at night knowing I didn't write in order to make a sale for a sale's sake. Believe me I had enough posing and posturing in corporate America to last me two lifetimes. No sense in resurrecting those tired positions for the sake of numbers. Besides, I really want change to be my partner.
If you're writing/communicating through a blog or some other portal, give people authentic content.
Found this piece on Seth Godin’s blog.
It’s great advice on how to approach what you do from the perspective of sanity.
Wanted to point you to an article I read in the current issue of Fast Company. You can view the article here. The writer, Rob Walker, makes some compelling arguments around the land mines that can be found when marketing to those on social networks. He focuses primarily on MySpace and Facebook, but I’m sure others apply as well.
He warns us that the information can be…well…inflated to say the least. In other words, objects in the mirror are not always as they appear. Savvy marketers know this, the not so savvy would be vexed at what Mr. Walker articulates.
I understand the desire to just throw it out there and hope many will fall in love. That would be easy and fast. Sad to say, life, it don’t always live that way (thank you, Seal).
Here are some things I’ve been learning about marketing and the spreading of ideas:
Today I want to point you to Google Trends. I may be late to the party, but I’m intrigued by what this tool can do.
I did a search on career management and I think you’ll find the results fascinating. As search engines continue to grow as the go-to portal for information, these types of results could prove valuable to you in a host of ways…career, business, and marketing to name a few.
There is an article in today’s Wall Street Journal that I can’t linked to because they are subscriber only (come quickly Mr. Murdoch, come quickly). But the article’s about Ludwig van Beethoven and his 9th symphony…his last. Do you realize he was deaf?
Which brings me to perseverance and time. I think Beethoven was 53 when he wrote the masterpiece. I wonder if he knew that the deafness and frailty of life would be the right elixir for what many consider to be the greatest composition ever written? I doubt it. We move thru life taking our blows and disappointments, not realizing that they, not wild success and notoriety, are the keys to the beautiful symphonies we create. I guess the key is know what’s in your heart. Beethoven spoke of that…
I communicated today with a former colleague/vendor who I worked with while in corporate America. We don’t communicate often, but with the release of my book (Waking Up In Corporate America) I wanted to let him know it was out. My contacting him was part of my strategy to go viral with my marketing…a good strategy for someone in my state.
Tom and I talked about a lot of things when I roamed the halls of corporate America. We spoke of funny things, business things, and the deep stuff too. Some type of symphony was formed, but I didn’t know it at the time. As time passed, our lives moved in different directions (natural when a season ends).
Well, I digress, Tom emailed me today and informed me that he bought 5 of my books. One for himself and 4 to share with colleagues at a sales conference. Obviously, I’m grateful for the multiple copy sale. By the way, I believe this is what viral marketing is all about. And viral didn’t start today with Tom, but years ago. Deposits were made…essential. But even more important was how he showed me that you don’t have to be conscious of all the greatness you create. You just have to be working in the land of greatness, which resides in your heart.
So have you stopped to listen to the symphonies?
As I come closer to the date of publishing my first book Waking Up In Corporate America, I’m fascinated by the pitches made to me by the PR world. Some are purely old-school sales (I just want you to buy something) and some are really spot-on in their delivery.
I haven’t engaged yet with a specific firm and I might not. Just the same, I thought I would link you to a post from Guy Kawasaki. In his post on Word of Mouth Versus Key Influencers, Guy sites a study that states what we maybe have intuitively known for a long time; word of mouth marketing works well. The only exception here is when your aim is fame and fortune-first and last. I know those twins are beasts of a complicated nature. So when we examine motives, we have to be careful.
Word of mouth/viral marketing is truly the only lasting approach to marketing. Relationships are built on the idea of telling other people about something special. Think of it this way; would you tell someone to buy a certain book because Oprah endorsed it? Oprah would help the word of mouth, but people buy because the person telling them had a wonderful experience reading the book.
If you’re looking to spread ideas, then you need to focus on articulating your thoughts the best you can and shoot for something viral in nature. Viral agents spread the ideas because they see value in your ideas and want the world to change on a small or large scale.
Here are some thoughts around people who will want to be viral on your behalf: