Sanders Says

Two pieces of advice for all writers (podcast)

Today, I'm playing around with my fave new Mac App (Peak LE).  It allows me to record audio, edit and deliver via my Mac with no external devices required. 

Just a minute ago, I recorded today's audio post for you.  The subject: How To Write A Book That Works. Often we think that books should be timely, unique, needed or perfect for the times.  That is not the formula for success.  Listen to my short recording and you'll pick up the two secrets to writing a best seller: 

1. Write what you know 

2. Show us who you are 

Download Writing Advice Aug 2009

Tweeting with impact via Tiny URL

Someone recently asked me if you can make money on Twitter (or Facebook). 

At first, I shot back, "only indirectly, by developing a following that drives personal brand awareness." In other words, your Tweets (or status updates on Facebook) keep you top of mind with your social network, and sometimes you add value through your comments. In the long run, that's goodness and makes it all worthwhile. 

Recently, though, I've noticed Tweets and updates with short URLs at the end. In many cases, I click on them to find reference web pages related to the update. Nice. I started to do it recently, to tout a video I'm watching or a provocative article I'm reading online. 

This sets the stage for referral income. If you like a CD or book, and have an Amazon or BN.com associates account, you can make money with your updates. Here's an example: Login to your Amazon Associates account and click on the Links & Banners tab to get to the Product Link lookup page. Lookup the last great book you've read. Copy the link, it has a reference your account. Go to TinyURL and convert the link you got from Amazon Associates into a Tiny URL (no pun intended). Now it's small enough to fit in an update, leaving room for the rest of your message. 

Now post an update ("I'm reading Gladwell's new book, Outliers, and it rocks!") and then cut an paste the TINY URL (all of it) into the end of your update. Now, all your friends and followers have a recommendation, and a clickable link to the Amazon page where they can buy it. If they do, you'll receive a commission on that sale -- plus anything else they buy in that shopping spree! 

Finally, if you don't want to earn money for yourself, you can raise money for a cause by lending your updates. Same process: Find a cause you want to promote, locate the donate money/join web page, reduce it to a Tiny URL and update!  

In either scenario, it's easy to see how our updates will be fungible and valuable in the future. I predict that we'll even move the stock market via updates (eg., getting ready to buy 10000 shares of HAST, join me here...). So don't write off Twitter or Facebook as a 'waste of time'.  We are just getting started! 

DID YOU LIKE THIS POST?  THEN DIGG IT BELOW AND HELP SANDERS SAYS GROW ITS AUDIENCE!

Follow me on Twitter

Click here to view my Twitter profile and follow me.

I'll post up short shorts on what I'm doing, thinking, responding to and wishing for.  See you up there!

Interview social media expert Chris Brogan

Posted by Mark J Carter (with Saving The World at Work & Networking For A Cause)

Below is an interview with Chris Brogan.

Chris Brogan is a ten year veteran of using social media and technology to build digital relationships for businesses, organizations, and individuals. Chris speaks, blogs, writes articles, and makes media of all kinds at [chrisbrogan.com], a blog in the top 20 of the Advertising Age Power 150 and in the top 100 on Technorati.

Sanders: What are your top priorities as a person and a blogger, when it comes to changing the world?

Brogan: As a person, my top priorities are to be helpful. I've shifted from working on myself to working on raising up as many other people as I can. The reason is simple: I'm only one man and can't scale well. Now, I need an army.

Sanders: What ways would you say bloggers can create social change within the communities they belong to?

Brogan: Bloggers have the tools to spread information around quickly and simply. They are the Gutenberg Press of our times. They are the newspaper, the TV, the radio, and more. With this in mind, they can bring voice to previously silent needs.

Sanders: What other socially conscious bloggers do you respect and why?

Brogan: Beth Kanter, hands down. She is the patron saint of showing people how tech (especially online media) can help change the world. She's the best at what she does.

Sanders: What causes are most important to you and why?

Brogan: I'm very supportive of children's causes, probably because I'm a dad, but honestly, I support causes that benefit humans in need. I'm not as fussy about political issues, because I feel that some of those situations are higher up in Maslow's hierarchy of need. Let's just make the kids okay as a start.

****Be sure to visit www.SavingTheWorld.net; the new online community for socially conscious people and businesses. Create your own free profile, blog and more!

The thinking-blogging gap

If I actually posted all the posts that come into my mind this blog would be five times bigger (both in volume and traffic). 

Frequently, I get ideas for this blog, and usually they sit in my mind until I either type them out or forget them.  In the business world, we talk about the thinking-doing gap and how it impacts productivity.  In the blogging world the same is true.  

Why is this?  We must get to a computer, usually that's online for link references, and go through the writing/editing process.  That inhibits us.  

I'm going to start blogging in audio format.  I've downloaded the recorder application to my iPhone (publishes in MP3 format).  I'll experiment with podcasting.  I might even engage OnSite Media to transcribe my recordings, edit them and expedite my ability to convert my ideas into posts. 

I'm also going to regulate my posting process, where I'll work on my blog over coffee every AM, instead of doing it when "I find a minute." 

Thinking of you

Well, it's Tuesday and I'm already slammed.

It started with an interview at 7am then coffee and on to a slew of work related to the release of the new book.

Along the way, like many part time bloggers, I'm thinking of you. I'm thinking of what recommendation I can offer today through my blog. After all, that's my charter: Post five useful ideas or tips a week.

Sometimes, like today, my only useful advice to you is to learn from my mistakes. Give yourself more time and learn how to say no or quit. Otherwise, you'll be slammed too, wondering how you'll live through it all.

PS -- It's totally worth it. My point is that we blogger's can't feel bad if the odd day passes without a post.

Build a project blog

Today I've been building a project blog: A blog that exists to guide dotted line team members through a project.

It contains a welcome video (hosted by YouTube) that defines the scope of the project (in this case, it is the launch of my next book). It has various subscription/RSS methods that make it easy for every team member to get the latest and greatest on the book launch/project. I use TypeLists to provide handy links to other web properties related to the product launch (my site, this blog, etc.)

All in all, it is a pretty easy process, and stupid easy for others to use.

I'll create a once a week posting rhythm for the first half of the project period, then increase the frequency as the book launch happens.

Even though there are other more sophisticated tools ($$$) for collaborative project management, for me, TypePad offers the right price (Free).

Have a post-shower writing session

If you are looking for the perfect time to write something, anything, do it right after you get out of the shower.

Whether you are a blogger, author, sales person or just a casual writer, finding inspiration is half the battle. Over the last year or so, I've developed a simple system to generate it chemically (and naturally).

Right before you take your shower, think about something you want to write or a subject you'd like to write about. As you shower, just let the idea roll around in your head. A hot shower naturally helps your body produce DHEA, so you'll find that your brain/mind makes synapse connections in this environment.

When an idea comes to you, say it out loud. Repeat it several times to find an anchor statement of inspiration. Right after you get out, find a handheld recorder or notepad and write for a few minutes. Let it flow, and don't try and edit.

If you do this everyday, you'll find that you will come up with great ideas, great phrases and your natural writing voice. Always think of shower time as creative time, instead of it being a chore.

I'm not the only author that does/did this. I've read that Kurt V, Jim Morrison and even Hunter S. Thompson all received divine inspiration in the shower. The question for you is, are you going to write yours down?

Stockpile content

I've been behind on my blogging duties recently.

My work on my new book is totally consuming my attention and time. But that is no excuse. A good blog gives you something to think about at least five times a week. That was the most consistent piece of advice I've received from successful bloggers in my category (advice blog).

The reason I've come up short is because I've been treating blogging as a just-in-time product. In other words, I write a post every day if I think of it. Sometimes, I've drawn up a series of posts I could write, and then grabbed one on the fly to write it under a self-imposed deadline.

You can see how that worked for me recently. Instead, what I'll do is stockpile at least six posts that have an evergreen quality. If I come up short of time or an idea one day, I'll reach into my stockpile. If it ever gets lower than three posts, then I'll fill it back up.

One other way to ensure daily blog posts is to do most of them early in the week and schedule their release throughout the week. While that editorial approach may be the most professional, I like to keep my blog postings somewhat spontaneous -- so I'll use the stockpile approach instead.

When you are wrong, run a correction

I spoke at a publisher's conference in 2004 and had a chance to hob nob with several major newspaper editors. At a lunch, I asked several of them as to how the policy of front page corrections came about. What I found out was not only interesting, it was insightful.

Newspapers run corrections on the front page to accomplish two things: Address errors on their part and teach reporters to better check their facts. It's a smart idea for legal reasons. It is a brilliant idea for leaders and professionals.

Too often we carelessly make assertions without checking our facts. When we are leaders this is especially damaging because we inflict our errors on others. Most of the time they know you are wrong and might occasionally even raise their hand to tell you. What do you do? Do you bull ahead to “protect your image?” Bad idea.

If you are willing to run a correction and set the record straight, you will find that others will greatly appreciate your honesty. As a leader you will gain, not lose, credibility because you are down-to-earth. We all make mistakes. Just admit it.

Recommended: Next time you realize you've made an incorrect assertion run a correction (email, next meeting, etc.) Don't sugar coat it. Promise to do a better job of checking your facts next time.

My own learning: This Sunday's post regarding the Black Crowes had several errors in it. If you read the comments to the post, you'll find that I was incorrect in asserting that they only played new songs and it was their reunion tour. Even though I'm still disappointed with the show, I stand corrected. PS -- I really appreciate comments that can set the record straight. This is why I believe that bloggers should allow comments, even if they have to moderate spam-ish ones. Thanks to Clouds for such a thoughtful comment.