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.

Stopped at my local Starbucks to get a caffeine boost yesterday afternoon. When I rolled up to the drive thru, the voice on the other end didn’t immediately ask if he could take my order in a exasperated tone of voice. The Starbucks dude on the other end of the squawk box asked . . . → Read More: How Starbucks Reminded Me What Social Media is All About]]>

espresso by lilivanili

Stopped at my local Starbucks to get a caffeine boost yesterday afternoon. When I rolled up to the drive thru, the voice on the other end didn’t immediately ask if he could take my order in a exasperated tone of voice. The Starbucks dude on the other end of the squawk box asked “how are you doing today?” and sounded like he was genuinely curious about the answer.

And instead of diving right into my order, I paused and replied with an equal enthusiasm, “I’m doing well! How are you?”

My answer to his question and return of his courtesy seemed to take the barista by surprise for a brief second. As a former waiter, I knew where he was coming from. I was always a bit shocked at the number of patrons who blasted right past my greeting to get straight to their pizza and beer order.

The interaction I had with the Starbucks dude illustrates how to be good at social media:

Have a conversation.

Don’t hop on Twitter and start blasting me with a steady stream of updates about your every move and blog post without also asking questions and commenting on other things. This piggybacks on Amber Naslund’s “Click My Junk” theory of Twitter marketing that Chris Brogan mentioned in a recent podcast interview with John Jantsch of Duct Tape Marketing.

To be effective on Twitter, Facebook, etc. you need to listen, interact, add value and THEN you can start to promote your stuff.