Could This Be The Social Media Holy Grail?

This is right on target and so many business people do not get it.

Social Media looks like another advertising tool to most business people and is therefore treated accordingly. I have preached forever that this is WRONG!

Words like exceptional service, interesting content, passionate about customers and build passionate customers.

Oh, just read this and then figure out how to apply it.

5 Steps to Building Your Social Media Marketing Plan

Blogger’s Are You Ready To Pay Taxes For The Privilege?

It would appear that the city of Philadelphia would like you to pay taxes if you blog.  Per the article at Computerworld: Philadelphia wants bloggers to start paying taxes. 

I think if you make any money at blogging, be it very little, then in Philly you will pay for a business license. I wonder if they go around to all garage sales and dun them for both sales tax as well as a business fee? Just curious – but then that’s me. 

I may have a different view. My curiosity would ask, along side the revenue potential; "Do specific public official's, in the Philadelphia area, feel that the out spoken ability of the web should be penalized?" Or better yet; "Is this another way to hinder freedom of speech through taxation?" 

If I lived in Philadelphia and blogged for a living I would be quickly looking to move to small town outside of the Philadelphia governments web. And I mean that like the spider and the fly. 

Government representatives everywhere I suspect are trying to figure out how to 1) get money from the web – in some fashion, 2) how to control the freedom of speech, and 3) use it to benefit themselves. 

Philadelphia wants bloggers to start paying taxes - Computerworld

'Blogging for Dummies' offers tips | TriCities.com

Here is a new book as well as a post about it with tips.

I have never been a fan of the titles of these books however what is inside has often proved to be very helpful. I look at books like this as taking a 101 class at the university. It will get you started and then if you want to go further there are more intricate books that are also available.

Who knows, you may want to matriculate and become a degreed blogger. OK it's Sunday and I need more coffee.

Happy reading and writing, the ultimate conversation.

'Blogging for Dummies' offers tips | TriCities.com

Communication Rules/Guides

The article I have linked to below is very good. Rules on Leadership for Communications. If one could practice these by habit we just might have fewer problems in both business as well as communication.

The writer, Don Bulmer, pulls references to Colin Powell whom I happen to have a great deal of respect for as both a lead and a communicator. There is a quote attributed to Colin Powell that I really found to be true.

Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership. Colin Powell

I believe that is one very big part of leadership and this philosophy works everywhere you have responsibility to people. In organizational relationships as well as in family life.

Pay attention and communicate. Works well in social media also. Read on - it could be the best thing you read this week.

13 Rules of Leadership for Communication, Influence and Social Media Strategy | Social Media Today

Is Working From Home An Issue For You?

I know that when working from home I have to have some planned direction or I will not get anything done. My focus has a tendency to ramble.

I can be reading the morning RSS feeds and very easily get distracted with some post. "Oh, I always wanted to know more about that." Or; "That looks easy, let me try it." Hours are lost.

I think the article from GigaOM below should be of interest. I am thinking about taking the seven thoughts below and building them into a planning sheet for each day I am at home, or even at McDonald's.

Follow the link and read on.

7 Discipline-builders for Remote Workers

Time To Go Back To School?

The following read from ABC News should be food for thought. Not just the kids going back to school but maybe there is something that we could pick up also.

I like the idea of checking in with the Chamber to see what they are doing. As for me, I work in the "For Profit" education network and there are plenty of people coming back to learn new software.

I think it's fun to keep on learning. There is so much out there. Check in with your local Chamber or find the software school of your choice. You might even look at New Horizons Computer Learning Centers.

Read on from ABC News.

Business Owners Go Back to School for New Skills - ABC News

Corporate Bloggin

Not sure if I have posted this previously or not. It first appeared in an American Express Open Forum however it has been re-posted on Mashable. Very good on blogging choices.

This (and the blogs mentioned) are worth reviewing if you are into corporate or organizational blogging.

15 Excellent Corporate Blogs to Learn From

Age/Subject Does Not Matter - Blog

This is an interesting story from the San Francisco Chronicle. It proves a point that blogging can really be about anything and if you grab or reach out to a specific audience you can potentially start a new career.

Granted Donnie Davis had some writing background however this was started from being excited at being a grand parent - and that is exciting from personal experience.

Check out the link below and enjoy. From the article there is a link to GaGa Sisterhood - neat site.

Blogging grandma recruits others

Interesting Blog About Why You Blog

This is a link to an interesting blog as well as an interesting web site. More information re: blogging and why some people do it.

Interestingly age is not an issue here. Young people or those of us with advancing experience can do this.

The $100 Question: Why Did You Start Blogging? | BlogHer

Seth's Blog: The places you go

This is a really good read regarding your emotions and feelings. It would be good to read this and then think about the emotions and feelings that your blog may represent to those who read it.

I try to pass along information that can be of help and support you as a blogger/podcaster or communicator. One of those items is to think where your reader or listener is at in their head. If they don't get it, what you have to say, you may not be communicating to their thought processes.

I also tend to occasionally get to philosophical but then those that know me overlook that.

Seth's Blog: The places you go

Technology Review: Blogs: Mims's Bits: Popularity Is Irrelevant, Says New Measure of Influence on Twitter

Interesting research on Popularity and it's relative influence. I wonder how this will play out in the future of communication and advertising - or the conversation of today.

The power of re-tweet in important here. 'Read all about it'

Technology Review: Blogs: Mims's Bits: Popularity Is Irrelevant, Says New Measure of Influence on Twitter

Are YOU Ready To Innovate?

From The Heart of Innovation comes Mitch Ditkoff with a GREAT post. I pass it along so that everyone can take advantage of good thought.

Isn't that what we do? Find something good and pass it along.

The Heart of Innovation: The 10 Personas of a Good Brainstorm Facilitator

New Times Demand New Words

Every once in awhile something comes along where I cannot (or should not) add any additional comments. The only thing I can say is; follow the link and read. This is Seth Godin at his best!

Seth's Blog: A post-industrial A to Z digital battledore

Business Blogs

The link that I have placed at the bottom of this writing is a really good short piece that is worth the time to read. If you are in business or with a non-profit, your blog is one way to share you knowledge as well as you image. Promote it.

In my comment I noted that I have a problem with being consistent in my posting. I think sometimes that a business or organization should have someone that is given the time (and perhaps some ideas) with which to maintain that connection.

Your website is important however so is your blog. Your blog is your "person" in person. It is your face to your customers. It is what makes you a "friend" and in most sales programs we are taught that someone buys from a "friend".

Today that "friend" can be a trusted source, and one becomes trusted by being open, upfront, and helpful. You can do that with a blog.

Read on and let me know what you think.

Marketingsherpa Blog : � Blogs are Becoming the New Front Door for Prospects: Is Yours Open?