Update for Windows Live Writer

For those of you using Windows Live Writer you might check out the 8 pages of Plug-ins that you can add to WLW to be more effective.

In Windows Live Writer go to Tools then to Options and on the left side of the dialog box that opens select Plug-ins. As you go through the 8 pages you will find various Plug-ins such that give you the ability to have your post sent to Facebook as well as to Twitter. The idea being that you can get the word out to a number of places at one time.

There are a number of other Plug-ins that could be of value. One that I have seen recently used is Zemanta. Follow the link and check it out.  

What Is Blogging And Much More

This is a very good podcast/video and worth the time to watch.

Guests are; Anil Dash who started TypePad with his wife, Sachin Agarwal, CEO of Posterous, and Kourosh Karimkhany, COO of TPM Media.

Very insightful and pleasant.

One thing they talk a great deal about is allowing comments both anonymous or moderated or you have to log in. I found the discussion very open and with a good deal of thought.

Click on the link and then watch the video.

Reporters' Roundtable: The state of blogging | Reporters' Roundtable Podcast - CNET Blogs

Social Media Tips - A Must Read

I titled this "Blogging Tips - A Must Read" for a reason and that is; if you are into anything that is Social Media then reading the link below is a must.

From "Power Friending" Amber Mac defines Social Media "..as web- and mobile based sites and applications that people are using to participate, share, create, network and bookmark online, and often to argue and debate too."

The tips in the link to "10 Blogging Tips. My 1000th Post On This Blog" is a rewarding read. Maybe you should print this out and then impress it into your memory. Every tip is a hit.

Oh, and it wouldn't hurt to follow Tim Berry either.

10 Blogging Tips. My 1,000th Post on This Blog

Power Friending

WOW another good book to read. So many lately but this one is right up my alley – or blog. The book; “Power Friending” by Amber Mac. If you are into social media and want to look into ways to grow your business this book is right on.

I have been listening to Amber Mac (Amber MacArthur) for a long time. She is the co-host on Net@Night with Leo Laporte. It is a fun show and worth listening to. I get many tips on software and links to check out from the show.

Check out the link to the Power Friending website to learn more. Awesome blogger also.

I know I will be writing more about Power Friending as I read through the book however Amber started by thought processes in chapter 1. I am now at chapter 4 and I am making notes.

I know a lot of business people, big business and small business, who should be reading this book.

I have always been of belief that if you want to learn something about business, about software, or about life, you need to read. I was once told that Leaders are Readers, unfortunately I have found business people who say I don’t have time to read. That is sad because one day they will wish they took out 30 minutes a day to read something reasonable.

Most people who say they do not have time to read have time to watch mundane sitcom’s on TV that will not enrich their mind in any way. If you have to get up 30 minutes earlier.

Take time to read. Who knows, you may have something to write about after reading. Look at me. 

Book Review for "The Dip"

I have just finished reading "the dip" by Seth Godin and it was very good. Seth explains "the dip" on the cover as; "It's the fifth job interview where they never even call you back." Or "It's the seventh time you fall on your butt while learning to snowboard."

This is a very good read about when it is time to quit in order to advance and maybe when it is not time to quit. Where are you? "Almost everything in life worth doing is controlled by the dip." (pg 16)

The book is a quick read, only 76 pages, however there is something of interest on every page (at least to me).

You can check out more at Seth's page about the book. You can also find out more information at The Dip @ Squidoo. It is worth looking into.

Today We Are At Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce

This is a real time demonstration of  blog posting.

Update: I had a very good time and enjoyed the session on Ease of Blogging and I hope that all in attendance did. The building is very nice and was a pleasant place to present. I thank all who made it a nice day.

More Blog Hosting Sites of Interest

I have linked to the article below since it will introduce you to other places with which you can have you blog post hosted.

We have talked about in seminars and previous posts Blogger (Free) and Typepad (not Free). I have stayed away from Wordpress due to the learning curve involved. This blog is the Ease of Blogging so therefore I keep trying to find the simple ways to blog.

Blogging should be easy, if you are a techie and want to learn software then by all means go for it. There are a great number of people using Wordpress. The idea is to get YOUR word out and whatever you use is only a tool to assist you. Don't make it too complicated or you will loose interest.

The new ones mentioned are Posterous (Free) and Tumblr (Free). I have a Posterous account and I am still trying to see what advantage it can offer and why I should use it. Tumblr I have yet to check out.

Different blog hosting sites fit different people. My suggestion has always been to search for sites on the hosting engine and see what types of blogs can be found there.

Research can be fun. Go and read. See what others are doing.

If someone here is using (or has used Tumblr) please pass along your thoughts. I would be much interested since I am considering starting another blog (or moving one) I would like to hear what you have to say.

Follow the link a read. Have a GREAT DAY!

Waging war on Wordpress: Posterous prepares the switch | Media | guardian.co.uk

Comments and Conversations

I had been pointed to a blog from my friend over at The Eponymous Pickle. The blog, Carpe Diem, is rather interesting. The author is Mark J. Perry.

The specific post that I am referring below to is; "Chicago's Only Wal-Mart Has Improved Its West Side".

I personally found this blog post interesting, nicely presented, and without malice toward any. The blog was informative and true to the author’s interest in Economics and Finance. What was even of more interest to me were the comments. 

Some of the comments were also very informative however some came bearing a flag of their own and some got rather testy. This is something you as a blogger must be prepared for. You can moderate comments or let them flow but you should always be aware of what is going on.  

Read the blog and then read through a good deal of comments. One thing for sure is that Mark has started a good conversation and then it takes on a life of it’s own. Truth is you may get a better perspective as the comments flow which is the objective of the conversation.

Mark, the author, will get more information for his own needs via this lively discussion.

The comments really do become a conversation and as in most conversations you get a variety of points and counter points and then some that come out of nowhere. It would stand to reason that most of these commenter's follow this blog.

Obviously Mark J. Perry has a good following.

On a final note for all you LeBron fans here is another post by Mark J. Perry. U-Haul Index: LeBron’s Not The Only One Leaving. Interesting.

Have a GREAT SUNDAY – it is time for my second cup.

Information from Small Business Trends

This piece/article/blog post is worth taking a look at. Sometimes it pays to review what you are doing, why you are doing it and how you are doing it.

This is a list blog and one that brings some thoughts to mind as to why I am here or why you are here. Read this and write down your feelings regarding the list.

There are times when your Mission, Vision and Values (you do have them right?) should be posted in front of you so that you can see them from time to time. Not sure the best place to put them. I know if something is pasted onto my computer edge I begin to over look it so that may not be the answer.

Someone asked me about what I would pay to get rid of the Google ad's in Google mail. My answer was "what ad's?" Most of the time I don't even see them, and the use of the word most is very accurate. I do see them when I look around and there are times when I do that just to become aware of what is going on around me.

It's Saturday and it is raining out so here is something for you to read. Let me know what you think.

How to Blog Effectively to Market Your Small Business | Small Business Trends: "Reasons to blog: Thought leadership, education, seo, branding, customer service and event promo"

Innovation Begins with Fascination

From the Idea Champions blog the following is good reading. How far can you take your idea? Or your thoughts?

There is so much on motivation and inspiration however, like the author, I will agree that if you are not fascinated with your project/plan or life you are going no where.

If you are working someone else's fascination there is not much reward. What are you fascinated about?

The article also links to a book, Awake as the Wheel, which I will be looking for today.

Maybe this is how you should approach what it is you blog about, something you are really fascinated with. My thoughts are that you will write more and that it might be more interesting - at least to 1) yourself (important) and 2) those who do read (also important). Put a lot of yourself into it.

I have included a quote from the blog post with the link below. Take a look see.

The Heart of Innovation: Innovation Begins with Fascination: "In my experience, the origin of innovation is fascination -- the state of being intensely interested in something. Enchanted. Captivated. Spellbound. Absorbed."

More On How To Find Data To Share

Here are more thoughts on finding information to share.

In blogging there are a couple of things that you do; one is to provide your knowledge and thoughts to those who have decided to read what it is you have to say and two is to pass along articles or blogs that will also give information.

In some cases you could be considered to be a creator as well as a curator. I think that is how I think about what I post.

Following along with that concept the link below will give you some ideas as to how to find data. It also says to clean up that which you use because there is way too much noise out there.

I do use Google Reader which I have recommended many times and I have used Twitter. I am on Linked In but do not frequent it or search on it.

Take a look at the link below and pass it along.

Unclutter Your B2B Social Media Sources | Social Media B2B

Starbucks Just May Be The Place To Write

I have made it clear that I am in a Starbucks at least once a day, sometimes twice a day, and that I write from there a good deal of the time. I frequent two different Starbucks in my area (there were 3) and I have always found them to very pleasant to me.

When out of town I try to find the closest Starbucks to make a house call and get some work done. I do this in Indiana (Richmond) and in California (Moraga). All good places with nice people.

Since I also play Foursquare on my Droid I am the Mayor of all 3 local ones (even the closed one) and what has been interesting is that in at least one of them the baristas call me Mayor when I walk in. It is a very fun and a very welcome feeling.

Starbucks recently ran a promotion on Foursqare for the Mayors and I took advantage of it on a couple of occasions.

The article I am linking to below makes a lot of sense and I am glad to know that I am following in the steps of good people.

Take a look see.

Using Starbucks As Your Office? Here Are Some Tips

Real-Time Blogger Stats

It's about 5 minutes to class time however I found this in my Google Reader and I thought I would pass it along for you to read. I will read it later. If you have any comments please let me know.

Google Launches Real-Time Blogger Stats