The Food Network has built its whole business around basic social concepts since its beginning in 1993.

Fans of different shows are often drawn to the host instead of what types of food they cook or how they cook it. I love Mario Batali because he comes across as knowledgeable and funny, . . . → Read More: Check Out “The Best Thing I Ever Ate” as a Social Media Case Study]]>

A Checklist of Must Eating

The Food Network has built its whole business around basic social concepts since its beginning in 1993.

Fans of different shows are often drawn to the host instead of what types of food they cook or how they cook it. I love Mario Batali because he comes across as knowledgeable and funny, in addition to the fact he’s the Italian cook (my favorite food). I am very confident that a night on the town with Mario would be the night to remember.

The Best Thing I Ever Ate is a wonderful case study on how the Food Network capitalizes on the appeal of their people instead of generic subject-specific content. The premise of the show is very simple. A number of the stars from different shows tell viewers about their favorite dishes and the places to find those dishes while sitting in front of a white background.

If you need inspiration about how to talk about your subject in an interesting way, check out a few episodes and listen carefully to how they talk about things.

They use specific and descriptive language. When each person talks about their favorite, they use very specific language to paint the picture of the awesomeness of each dish for you. They discuss textures, spices, cooking techniques and other details to give you a real idea of exactly what they love about their favorite.

They are full of confident passion. Each chef or host also seems to feel a responsibility to persuade you to do what ever it takes to experience their favorite place and dish as soon as possible. The passion they have for their favorite garlic noodles or wood-fired pizza is obvious and very contagious. Do you inspire people in your field like that?

“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” –Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Smart advice from our German friend.

In a world awash in data, tutorials, classes, seminars, conferences, and other chances to learn about things instead of actually doing them, there is something to be said . . . → Read More: Forward Progress]]>

Climb Up The Rock from NeilsPhotography

“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” –Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Smart advice from our German friend.

In a world awash in data, tutorials, classes, seminars, conferences, and other chances to learn about things instead of actually doing them, there is something to be said for lacing up your boots and starting up the hill.

I recently visited a friend who makes his living as a painter. There are paintings, sketches and other signs of his work throughout his house. Art in various stages of development is everywhere. He has built a large body of work that continues to grow every day. I was . . . → Read More: Dr. J, Building a Body of Work and Going Pro]]>

"Warhol Art in a Can" from jelene

I recently visited a friend who makes his living as a painter. There are paintings, sketches and other signs of his work throughout his house. Art in various stages of development is everywhere. He has built a large body of work that continues to grow every day. I was so impressed with evidence of his efforts. Once he gets his website back online, I’ll add a link to his work. (The Warhol can isn’t Micheal’s, I just thought it was cool.)

I would like to think that the reason I’ve let my blog become stale is because I am the parent of a young toddler or that my work responsibilities have increased now that the economy is less frightening than it was in 2009. While I have reached the time consuming “goaltender” stage of fatherhood and work has become more involved, the real reason is a lack of discipline.

It’s hard to keep sustained effort going on a blog (or a novel or a new business idea) when it’s easy to let the status quo dominate your day.

Right after visiting my artist friend, I also encountered the following quote from Julius Erving (Dr. J to basketball fans): “Being a professional is doing the things you love on the days you don’t feel like doing them.”

Dang Doc. That’s kind of sums it up.

So…I need to start blogging again. A lot. Even when I don’t really feel like it. Because that’s what professionals do.

I’ve found that when businesses think about getting started in social media, a lot of time is spent debating and planning strategy.

Are we trying to build brand recognition? Is Twitter going to be a new customer service channel? Is the content for the Facebook page going to be . . . → Read More: Gary Vaynerchuk’s Secret to Social Media Success: Work Your A$$ Off]]>

Gary Vaynerchuk at Affiliate Summit West 2009 11

I’ve found that when businesses think about getting started in social media, a lot of time is spent debating and planning strategy.

Are we trying to build brand recognition? Is Twitter going to be a new customer service channel? Is the content for the Facebook page going to be strictly business or should we mix in some personal chit chat?

People want the answers to all these questions before diving in. Here’s the thing: before you can wow your fans, you’re going be awkward and goofy for a while as you figure stuff out.

So just get started. Today. Right now. Because the sooner you get the hang of things, the sooner you can actually knock all of your strategic goals out of the park.

But what if we are lousy? I think this little question is one of the main obstacles blocking more involvement in social media. Unfortunately the only way to get good at this stuff is to risk being bad at it for a while.

Case in point: Gary Vaynerchuk, the current reigning world champ of video blogging. Click here and here to get up to speed on who Gary is and why he’s so cool if you don’t know.

Why bring up Gary if he’s so awesome? He didn’t start out awesome. His first winelibrarytv.com video is a solid start but nothing spectacular.

You can see the glimmer of today’s superstar in this show but he’s clearly inexperienced talking to a camera. He’s not exactly sure what to say, but the desire to tell his story is obvious. Gary took his natural charisma, busted his hump cranking out content by doing a winelibrarytv.com episode almost EVERY SINGLE day since he started and is now a consultant, public speaker, author and all-around a$$ kicker.

As someone who’s been active with Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites on an almost daily basis since 2008 (to my wife’s sometime chagrin), I thought writing about what I’ve gotten out of my efforts would be a good blogging execise. (Tip of the hat to Zappos.com CEO Tony Hsieh as . . . → Read More: Ways Twitter Has Made Me A Better Person – I Notice More Cool Stuff]]>

Daisy Refraction by audreyjm529

As someone who’s been active with Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites on an almost daily basis since 2008 (to my wife’s sometime chagrin), I thought writing about what I’ve gotten out of my efforts would be a good blogging execise. (Tip of the hat to Zappos.com CEO Tony Hsieh as this post is my inspiration.)

First thing that comes to mind is social media has refined my “daily palate.” I notice more of the cool little details of life and have learned how to describe them in a way that’s (hopefully) interesting and helpful.

When people complain they don’t have anything to say online, I say aren’t paying much attention each day.  Here are two simple examples that provide great fodder for social media updates if you take a second to think about how to talk about them:

1. The last place you had lunch – I don’t give a #%!?! THAT you had lunch. What you had, whether it was tasty, the qualify of the service, if the specialty of the house is actually special, or a cool waiter to ask for are all things that could add value to my life the next time I’ve got to select a lunch time destination.
2. The last movie you watched – Again, THAT you watched a movie is not helpful or terribly interesting. What you thought of the plot (without blowing the ending), which actor surprised you with their performance, or a recommendation of another cool film by the same director are all things I could use as I surf through my Netflix account looking for the next movie to add to my queue.

Thinking about the “mundane” experiences we all have each day with this mindset has made me more involved in the present and I appreciate more of the simple details of my life.

While Tarantino and Rodriguez are great role models for creating content their own way and staying true to their unique voices, I LOVE the beginning of the video where Sam Raimi talks about DOING something related to making . . . → Read More: Advice on the Creative Process from Sam Raimi, Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, and Guillermo del Toro]]> How do you become a filmmaker, writer, artist, etc.? Grab a camera, notebook, paint brush, etc. and get started.

While Tarantino and Rodriguez are great role models for creating content their own way and staying true to their unique voices, I LOVE the beginning of the video where Sam Raimi talks about DOING something related to making a movie every damn day and, if you stick with it, you’re going to end up with a movie in no time. May not be a good movie. That’s okay.  Take what you’ve learned from what you’ve just made and do it again.

To Robert Rodriguez’s point about more competition: If you want to make a movie that grosses $200 million, he’s right. The competition is still overwhelming.

But, making movies (or comics or whatever) that are seen by a few thousand people and working toward eventually making small living doing it is completely possible with computers and the web for distribution and marketing.

You just have get off the couch, get started and be willing to suck for a while as you figure out which ever medium appeals to you.

Martha Graham by Yousuf Karsh, 1948

“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be . . . → Read More: Martha Graham and Crash Davis Remind Us to Just Get the Work Done]]>

Bull Durham Movie Poster

Martha Graham by Yousuf Karsh, 1948

“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be lost. The world will not have it.

It is not your business to determine how good it is, not how it compares with other expression. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open.

No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is on a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.”

–Martha Graham

“Don’t think Meat. Just throw.”

–Crash Davis from the movie Bull Durham

My son is one month old. Having your first kid makes you think about a lot of stuff.

One of the biggest thoughts for most first-time parents is “How in the world are they putting me in charge of this little person?!” Insecurity and paranoia are large pieces of the joys . . . → Read More: Do You Inspire Confidence?]]>

Florence Nightengale monument in London, England

My son is one month old. Having your first kid makes you think about a lot of stuff.

One of the biggest thoughts for most first-time parents is “How in the world are they putting me in charge of this little person?!” Insecurity and paranoia are large pieces of the joys of being a new dad.

The boy was born at Sky Ridge Medical Center and the nursing staff was fantastic. They all had their own personalities and styles but everyone of them radiated a steady confidence and displayed genuine caring. This was a great thing to have as my wife and I wrapped our brains around the idea of being parents. Each nurse who helped us seemed to be 50 percent Navy SEAL, 50 percent coach/psychologist. I felt COMPLETELY confident in the advice and care we received during our stay.

Compare this experience to a trip to the local pharmacy a few days after we went home. I asked if the antihistamine my wife used before her pregnancy would still work because she was breastfeeding. The pharmacist wrinkled her brow, looked it up in a PDA and said “that should be fine” without out any enthusiasm.

Ummm…sorry. The correct answer to an anxious new dad when he asks you whether or not he may be poisoning his infant son by buying the product you sell is: “This will not be a problem at all. Your wife and boy will be fine if she takes this for her allergies. You have nothing to worry about.”  It would be a good idea to say this with all the authority and confidence you can muster too.

Make sure a potential client who comes to you for a new website, basement remodel, puppy for the kids, etc. leaves without any doubt they’ve made the right choice talking to you (even if they don’t choose you in the end).

Also, don’t forget that your current clients need to feel that working with you is still one of the best decisions they’ve made. Do they see your invoices as a continued investment in their success or an expense that could be cut if things get too tight?