Reciprocity

I generally don't follow other blogs, or Twitter accounts or whatever just because they happen to follow me... and I don't expect it in return.

Usually I start because they've written or posted something that touched me or they've been recommended by someone I respect.

Some I follow as a trial.  Just to see if that little hint continues.  Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't.  Every now and then I clean out the list.  It's not a bad thing.

My advice?

Be authentic and don't worry about numbers.  It's much better to have fewer followers that feel a connection with you than a long list of people who don't.

Using Prince to Teach

Check out Brian Clark's latest post on Copyblogger.

Lead by Example

I've been seeing a lot of posts lately about how to become a leader, or to be seen as an expert at something, or a step-by-step formula for how to make 6 figures by the end of the year. Blech.

What I would really like to see is more of these people/companies who profess to know the solution actually demonstrate it in something other than a loosely veiled money making scheme. It just feels like the next great weight loss shake and doesn't make any sense to me.

It's truly is a very simple 3 step formula, available here for free:

1. Be honest
2. Understand your customers' needs and wants
3. Be good at what you do.

It takes time to build a great reputation. I think even longer these days since we're conditioned to think someone is trying to rip us off.

If I'm not already aware of you, or if you haven't been recommended by someone I already trust, it will take time before you gain my trust and subsequently my available dollars.

Period.

New Technology

I went to the Boulder-Denver New Technology (BDNT) Meetup last night. This was my first meetup so I wasn't really sure what to expect.

I was blown away. This is a very cool thing.

About 400 people came together to hear a few companies spend 5 minutes each talking about their new technology products. The audience then had 5 minutes to ask questions and provide feedback on each product or company. This was very fast, very intense and very fun.

These are local companies doing really cool things.

Sports Data Hub - data analysis for NFL Football, professional and armchair
iggli - organize your friends to go to ticketed events
TimZon - Integrated Video and Screen capture for sharing comments for product developers on multiple continents
Rezora - online marketing tool for real estate agents
Zeo - personal sleep analysis and feedback
TechoShark - iPhone app that integrates social media with conference goers

Some products were definitely more interesting to the audience and thus the audience was more engaged. The questions were intelligent and more business then technology focused.

I am absolutely looking forward to the next session.

Albuquerque

There are some businesses/people I will miss now that we've returned to Colorado.

• Bob Raught Auto Repair
• La Montanita Co-op
• Hey Jhonny
• Dr. Chapman
• Sanchez Dental Associates

These businesses and the people who operate them have been a big part of our life for the past 12 years.

Why have a Bio?

Anyone who knows me, knows I love Twitter. It's a great way to connect with people you might want to know and a great way to learn about any subject.

Today, a company started to follow me on Twitter. Who is not important. Clearly it's not important because they don't say who they are in their bio.

Information | National Work | Analysis You Can Trust | Service You Can Rely On


I think this might be their tag line. It sounds great. It's all stuff I like. But what are we talking about? What do they do? Why should I spend the time to learn about them? Their name doesn't give me much either.

Remember that your customer makes a decision regarding your worth and their time in a matter of seconds. If it's not clear what value you bring, spend some time to make it more clear. Once you think it's clear, ask someone who doesn't know you to tell you who you are. Repeat until you get the right answer.

I could not have said it better myself

Sasha Dichter describes The Catch.

Be good to your friends, be good at what you do and keep in touch

If you aren't good to your friends, good at what you do and make an effort to keep in touch, something like this would never happen...


Furlough on Friday
Interview on Saturday for great project
Accept job on Sunday
Start work on Monday


I am grateful for my friends and excited about my new project.

Multiple Personalities

I have had multiple avatars online.

Not multiple personalities... Well who knows, maybe I do. Perhaps that's why I've chosen different pictures for different tools.

I've noticed some of the people I follow use the same avatar across tools. It helps me recognize them, which I like. I've also seen people change their avatar which I find strangely unsettling.

I have condensed my avatars over the last couple of weeks. I'm down to 2.

I think I'll leave it at that. At least for now.

Hi from Destiny

I have a six year old niece.

She sent a message to me today via a coworker who's son goes to the same school. She said to say hi and to have a good day.

Is it amazing that a six year old understands the power of making a connection? Or have we (as adults) just forgotten how?

A blog is about making a connection. If it wasn't, it would be a diary.

I absolutely want to make a connection... I want to share my ideas, to learn from others, and then to grow those ideas.

So, in the spirit of my very wise six year old niece... Hi. I hope you have a good day.