Successful Blog

Online work is never “done”

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This morning I woke up to the latest Google+ change to the cover photo and did a classic face-palm. I thought that was done. Handled. Taken care of.

Except, when your business is online, there is no “done.”

There’s a classic myth about King Sisyphus who was cursed to roll a huge boulder uphill only to watch the boulder roll back down and repeat the process. For eternity.

Perhaps that’s an extreme reference, but sometimes dealing with the shifting sands of online business feels that way, doesn’t it?

Don’t worry, we’re all in this together.

You can maintain your sanity with these handy tips:

Don’t get caught by surprise

Stay on top of breaking news in your niche and for online business in general. Sites like Mashable, ReadWrite, TechCrunch, and TheNextWeb all offer quick punches of information, and you can often get a heads-up on trends before they catch you flat-footed. Consider subscribing to the technical blogs of the big social networks, to get advance notice of design or other changes (like this post where Twitter warned of upcoming API changes).

Do your chores consistently

Set aside time each week for housekeeping, tweaking graphics, updating links, and fixing your site. If you schedule specific time to do this, you won’t end up shoehorning it in between client calls. Use a block of time consistently to line up chunks of content, or batch change graphics, or do other maintenance tasks.

Delegate if you can

Some repetitive tasks can be outsourced or delegated, so you can invest your own valuable time doing the things that only you can do. Find a virtual assistant, get a freelancer to write some content for you, or judiciously use automation tools to gain efficiency. One of Tim Ferriss’ key suggestions in The Four Hour Work Week is to use outsourcing as a time saver.

Finally, recognize that everyone else is scrambling to keep up too. We all have our boulders to roll.

(If you’d like to update your Google+ cover photo, you’ll need an eye-catching 2120 pixel by 1192 pixel picture that conveys your brand message.)

Do you have any tricks for keeping pace with constant online developments?

Author’s Bio: Rosemary O’Neill is an insightful spirit who works for social strata — a top ten company to work for on the Internet . Check out the Social Strata blog. You can find Rosemary on Twitter as @rhogroupee

 

Image: pasukaru76 via Flickr CC license.

WordPress Plug-Ins to Make Your Website More User Friendly

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By Danny DeMichele

If you have built your website on WordPress you are lucky. There are so many plugins available to make your website more productive and fun for the users you are attracting. What’s more is these plugins change the way you can interact with your customer base in a way that grows loyalty. You will quickly find that certain plugins will draw people back as well as attract new users.

Here are some plug-in ideas for you to sample:

Slider Revolution

This WordPress plugin helps bring your website to life. You are no longer stuck with the same intro sliders that everyone else has. Instead you can build a slider that makes sense for presenting your content. It is also easy to change so you can make your website new and dynamic daily.

Breadcrumbs

You want to use SEO and drive traffic to your site. Often the search engine then takes the user to the exact page showing no relationship to your home page or anything else you have to offer. Breadcrumbs helps the visitor navigate your page and clearly shows the relationship.

Subscribe to Comments

When users surf the web, they might leave behind a comment, but depending on their involvement may never return to the discussion. Subscribe to comments allows the person to know when the discussion continues and gets them more involved with your page. It also encourages them to leave comments because they can easily follow up.

WP Super Cache

No one comes to pages that take forever to load. While they might be patient the first time, it is frustrating when someone returns and it takes a long time again. Super Cache allows for lightning fast loading for your returning users and improves your return numbers.

CloudFlare

Everyone hates comment spam. CloudFlare allows you to see exact IP addresses of comments and you can then block the user at the source. No more tricking the system; instead you have ultimate control over your WordPress site.

Akismet

Another spam filter, this one does not require you do anything. It filters all sorts of spam on an autopilot mode 24 hours a day. You can go through the items that have been filtered if you like. It is not quite as good at shutting down things at the IP level, but it can get spam removed more quickly.

Facebook Comments for WordPress

The world is username- and password-inundated and most people don’t have the patience to create new logins. This plugin allows them to use their Facebook account to leave comments. It gives them a way to follow through and it helps you navigate back to the person.

ShareThis

Using 50 different social networking sites, people can share your page via their preferred outlet. This helps you make the forum more open for all users and keeps you from having to run a million plugins. This is probably the most universal of all the ways to share content.

AJAX Contact Forms

The right contact form can help you build the best mailing list. People want a form that is easy to use and AJAX has provided just that. You can choose what data is required and it will utilize the auto-fill-in options for people who have saved their data. This saves them time and makes it more likely they will fill out your form. You can even use the direct Twitter messaging system to instantly confirm their note, making you timely, helping to stick in the user’s memory.

Whatever plugins you put on your WordPress page, you will want to follow how they affect traffic. A great analytics app will not only help you do this, but help you decide which plugins are the very best for your website. It is all about being flexible and WordPress plugins can help you make the right impression.

Author’s Bio: Danny DeMichele has been building and managing online businesses for the past 14 years. He recently sold his search engine marketing agency, eVisibility.com, to LSF Network, Inc., a top 20 private digital agency in the U.S. Danny is currently the CEO of Incubate.com, a digital marketing agency specializing in all things web.

Living Life on the Financial Edge

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If you have a full-time job, one that pays good wages and is all but a sure thing, by all means enjoy it.

As I and millions of others discovered in recent years, a sure thing in the workplace is about as reliable as politicians in Washington, D.C. coming together for the good of the people.

Having been laid off twice in the last seven years, I can say that both experiences were different.

The first job loss in 2006 (after five-and-a-half years with the company) really came out of the blue. Even the manner in which I was informed, an email from a supervisor on a Friday morning, was a tad shocking.

After the reality of the situation set in, I did something down the road that no one should ever do, I began to panic.

How would I pay my rent? Could I still make my car payments? Would I not be able to afford health insurance now that I was on COBRA (the first layoff taught me to get my own health insurance policy, something I carry to this day)?

Despite the best parents in the world helping me out financially, I still was forced to pile up debt on credit cards, not to mention raid some of my retirement fund. I then made matters worse by temporarily moving to Arizona, taking a nearly $12,000 pay cut from the previous job I had been laid off at, and continued wallowing in debt.

After six months in Arizona, I knew that going back to California was not only something I wanted to do, I needed to do.

Was Another Layoff Possible?

So that I don’t make you change the channel, I will skip a few years from then until my second layoff last summer in marketing.

Although I was a top producer in my department (achieved three bonuses) when it came to turning out copy, I was let go after 14 months. Once the initial shock wore off, I came to realize that such a move was probably inevitable, especially given the mismanagement at the company by some of the executives.

With few full-time jobs calling my name, I went back to my old standby, freelancing.

Despite more than 20 years of writing experience, I get few if any phone calls for job interviews these days, knowing that many companies prefer paying someone just out college meager wages as opposed to what someone with decades of experience would command. I also know that many of these companies will face a revolving door of workers, those smart ones who do not take long to realize they are being underpaid, especially given today’s cost of living expenses.

While freelancing is for now keeping a roof over my head and food on the table, it is by no means job security.

Don’t get me wrong, I am extremely grateful for any work thrown my way these days, I just know that I’m living life on the financial edge.

Every time I drive by a homeless person or homeless encampment (they seem to grow by the day here in San Diego), I realize that that could be me in a month, two months, six months from now. On the other hand, I also know that there are people far worse off than I am right now.

It almost seems sad, here in the richest and most powerful country in the world, many people are not able to realize the American Dream.

What the future holds for me I can’t predict, something few if any of us can for that matter. I do know, however, that being a freelance writer is not the worse thing in the world.

That being said, I would not mind if I was not living so close to the financial edge.

Have you had ups and downs in your career over the years?

If so, what has it taught you about surviving in today’s world?

 

Photo credit: bubblews.com

About the Author: With 23 years’ writing experience, Dave Thomas covers a variety of small business topics, including finding the best invoice software.

Why Does @HackmanJ Keep Coming Back to #SOBCon

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Hackman_Joe_fixedRecently I had the opportunity to spend some time with Joe Hackman, to find out why he keeps coming back to SOBCon. Is it for his business – or for his personal life – or both?

Phil Gerbyshak: Let’s start with an easy one, so folks who don’t know can get to know you more. Who are you – and what is your business focus?

Joe Hackman: I’m Joe Hackman the youngest of six siblings, 3 boys and 3 girls. My most important work has been as the father of my now 7 year old son. In 1991 I dropped out of College to start a job that was not fulfilling and 5 years later quit that job to start one I love. In 1997 my company Managed Solutions began providing IT services to small businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area. I’m now located in the East Bay Area in a Town called Danville. In the Bay Area it is easy to enjoy outdoor activities year around including hiking and mountain biking. As an Air Force brat born in Hawaii it would be very easy to go back to live there, tomorrow. You might catch me advocating personally online for Trust in Education, Asante Africa Foundation, Rotary, Pancreatic Cancer and other causes. For me the Pancreatic Cancer advocacy is very personal, having lost a parent to the disease in 2000. I am immensely grateful to people who work to inspire and help others.

PG: When did you attend your first SOBCon – why did you sign up – and what did you expect to get out of it? 

JH: My first SOBCON was Chicago 2011 and I have been to Portland and Chicago every year since. The background story was yet another “Liz Strauss story” nearly everyone at SOBCon has one.

PG: Did you get what you expected (or more or less or just different) from your first SOBCon?

JH: With no expectations and walked away inspired with many great new friends. Many of the things you experience at SOBCon will shape the way you look at your business as well as your personal life.

PG: How many additional SOBCon events have you been to?

JH: In addition to the first Chicago event in 2011 I went to one more in Chicago and 2 in Portland, 4 total.

PG: What keeps you coming back for more SOBCon?

JH: The opportunity to interact with brilliant, cool people that I know and make new friends that I haven’t met yet. I always feel like the time and money I invest in attending comes back to me many times in the form of ideas, opportunities and connections to a special group of people.

PG: What has been the biggest impact on your business because of SOBCon?

JH: There are actually two areas. One is the incredible network of people to connect with and the other is the valuable mental tools you gained to see business in a different light. Having always taken my business very personally, I now appreciate my customers more than ever. The quality of people I am working with today is simply incredible. SOBCon tends to instill a sense of being open to opportunity, you realize it is everywhere and it’s just a matter of being ready and willing to embrace it.

PG: What advice would you give someone thinking of attending SOBCon for the first time?

JH: Go! Be present, be open minded, participate and be amazed.

PG: What advice would you give someone thinking of attending SOBCon for a second (or more) time?

JH: Be prepared for new experiences; be sure to mix with old and new friends alike. Just realize that however great the people are that you know are, there are many more just like them you have yet to meet. Increase your chances of making those great connections by rotating tables and attending random events, Karaoke anyone?

PG: Anything else you’d like to share about the event or anything else?
JH: Just a few things:

  1. Phil Gerbyshak is the king of hugs.
  2. Elizabeth Marshall and Judy Martin are awesome at Karaoke.
  3. Becky McCray is the first person I met at SOBcon.
  4. Les McKeown thinks I am handsome.
  5. I love Marc A. Pittman’s Bow-Tie thing.
  6. AJ and Melissa Leon are role models for living.
  7. Amber Cleveland will always have your back.
  8. Dennis Charles and Susan Giurleo are great Masterminds.
  9. Sean McGinnis is a jack of all trades and master of some.
  10. Tim Sanders can transform your way of thinking in 15 minutes.
  11. Connie Cermak and Connie Burke are great to hang out with.
  12. Jeannie Walters has some amazing friends.

One could go on all day with random gems of a SOBCon experience… this is what I referred to regarding the quality of connections. Like many things, you have to experience it to fully understand.

Thank you Joe! Passionate awesome stuff!

So – Are you on the fence about attending SOBCon 2013? Hopefully Joe’s story offers you some insights into how you could benefit by attending this event. I hope to see you there – and I’ll definitely give you a hug – if you’re into that sort of thing. 🙂

So what are you waiting for? Go get your ticket to SOBCon, so you can have SOBCon memories too!!

How to Build Interest (Part 2 in a Series): Honesty

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By James Ellis

(This is Part 2; you can find Part One here.)

I recently flew to NYC (in a plane) and I was reminded of how bad air travel is. I used to be a full-time business traveler. I know plenty of business flyers. And the simple fact is that there is no such thing as a good airline.

Oh, there are people who work in airline companies who can, on occasion, do good things. But usually they don’t. They don’t care that your luggage went missing, that your guitar got smashed, that your child traveling alone never met the airline rep you paid to make sure your child got somewhere safely. On time means pushing off the jetway, not getting where you want to go. Customer satisfaction means you only feel semi-violated getting somewhere.

But I have a way of fixing modern airlines: Honesty.

The worst part about flying is the lying, the lack of understanding how passengers/cargo are treated, the gamesmanship, the arbitrary and hidden rules. You spend a few hundred dollars to be told you will be treated like kings and then get treated like traitors.

Marketing teams think that if they tell us the truth, no one will book tickets. But I disagree. I hate being told that two airlines are merging “for my convenience” and not to lower operations costs by 0.2%. I hate being told that it is time to board passengers in Group 3 when no one actually looks to see if I’m in Group 3. I hate that we all pretend that my iPad will cause the plane to crash if I turn it on during takeoff (um… the entire plane is an electronic device, people).

My new airline will simply be called SucksAir. At no point will any of the marketing lie. I will flat out say that the seats are cramped, there’s no food for free, the air as healthy as your average flu vaccine, the drink cart will mug anyone with an aisle seat, the pilot will always sound hopped up on Valium, and the in-flight entertainment will always be commercials. At no point will anyone who works at SucksAir ever treat any paying customer like a human being. Flights will be coming and going on a schedule closer related to a Roman orgy than a German train station.

Being honest is the unique selling proposition. You know that SucksAir is a crappy airline that just happens to get you where you want to go. No more, no less.

What if you were equally honest? Painfully honest. Brutally honest. About your industry, your customers and yourself. If you can’t be stand-up comedian honest in your blog, you should stop blogging.

What’s the fear? That everyone will realize that you’re making it all up as you go along? That you think some of your customers are idiots? That there are shysters in your industry who make a pretty good living? Trust me, we already know that. It might just be enlightening to hear you say it.

Author’s Bio: James Ellis is a digital strategist, mad scientist, lover, fighter, drummer and blogger living in Chicago. You can reach out to him or just argue with his premise at saltlab.com.

Solve Communication Breakdowns with Your Blog

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By Brian Milne

Communication Breakdown,
It’s always the same,
Havin’ a nervous breakdown,
Drive me insane!

– Led Zeppelin, “Communication Breakdown”

Is it just me, or is all of this technology that’s “connecting us” actually discouraging real communication.

By definition, communication is an “exchange of information,” but even Webster suggests it should include a “personal rapport.”

But in today’s fast-paced, attention-deficit world, personal phone calls have given way to occasional emails and text messages. And, in many cases today, those one-on-one messages are being replaced by shotgun Facebook and Twitter blasts to a faceless social mediasphere.

So what about those defining moments in life, or business, that warrant more than 140 characters? Babies being born, companies doing actual good in the community and for the environment?

Those are the types of communications blogs were made for. Whether it’s a personal or corporate platform, your blog is your most important communication tool online.

Not only does the blog allow you to let your hair down, and write more freely about topics that will engage users, but it allows you to share that narrative with hundreds, thousands, even millions of readers.

And it allows you to complement your prose with strong images, videos and all of the other assets and plugins we can integrate into our blogs today.

But how do you make sure your blog doesn’t turn into another source of one-sided noise in this overly-saturated blogosphere? Here are six tips to help turn your blog into a two-way communication tool.

Use the Blog Often, and Well

They say quality over quantity. I say quantity AND quality.

For a majority of the blogosphere, blogs are successful because they do both. Their content is solid, so it gets shared. Their content is frequent, so it gets traffic.

A good blog is a two-headed monster, and you have to feed it often if you want your site to become a beast to be reckoned with online.

Don’t have time to blog as often as you’d like? Here are 10 tips for finding more time to blog.

Use the Blog to Keep Connections Updated

Ever have a situation where you’re traveling in a remote place, or are in the middle of an adventure and don’t have time to update all of your friends on your whereabouts? The blog is a great vehicle for updating the masses on your situation.

I used this same approach in 2007 when I paddled nearly 100 miles of California’s coast, and again this past fall with a photo blog from McCovey Cove during the World Series.

Posting updates to your blog will not only keep your friends and family informed, but it also saves you time so you don’t have to reach out to everyone in your social circle to give them a unique update.

Use the Blog to Share and Engage

For corporate blogs, running diaries like the examples above probably aren’t realistic, but taking the same, real-time updates approach will work for major events and conferences when content ideas are coming your way at a furious pace.

Take advantage of these events (which are content gold mines) by posting frequently around the topics and using social media (and the appropriate hashtags) to promote your work, because these types of milestones are often more timely and newsworthy than everyday posts.

Use the Blog to Collaborate

Have you ever thought of your blog as a collaboration tool?

Active online communities and blogs have amazing potential when it comes to collaborating online.

Turn your blog into a collaboration tool by: concluding posts with open-ended questions to drive reader comments, driving interaction through mobile engagement, and embedding polls, surveys and forms to pull user-generated content from the community.

The key is driving at that engagement and making sure your blog isn’t just a one-way communication.

Use the Blog to Motivate

The best part about having a phone conversation with a friend, colleague or mentor that you respect, is that the call is a two-way conversation.

Two-way conversations help resolve issues, breed new ideas and inspire and motivate both sides to strive for more.

Take the same approach on your blog.

The best posts in the blogosphere (think about all of the great content here on Successful-Blog.com) motivate and inspire, and your blog shouldn’t be any different.

Use the Blog to Listen

In conclusion, don’t just treat your blog as a one-way communication tool. Allow for comments on your posts.

Listen to and engage with those in the comments section and continue the conversation beyond the author tagline.

Take the discussion to your social networks to engage more connections in your social circle, and, gulp, even offline in the real world.

Imagine that, actually communicating with folks offline.

Robert Plant would be proud.

Author’s Bio: Brian Milne is the founder of the Hyped Blog Network and Meadows Interactive, an authorized seller of the WorkTraits behavioral assessment and work compatibility program. Share your communication tips and challenges with him on Twitter @BMilneSLO.