Can Quora Kill Blogging?

Quora is awesome.

If you haven’t checked it out, here’s a few quick reasons why I think it has the chance to change the way information is shared & discovered.

I see it as a unique combo of Twitter and a Blog. (Tlog? Blitter?) Maybe even a dash of Linkedin Q&A’s. The premise is simple. Ask a question about any topic, share your responses, vote them up and follow/get followed. If you’ve been online for a while, all the familiar faces are there & they’re willing to share their experiences and knowledge.

So far, the content I’m following has been hype/spam free, just great people asking & sharing good stuff. I like Twitter because it
helps me find content…but this helps me find specific topics,
answers and a quick connection to the person to who actually knows
something about the question being asked. No need to read a full
blog post and it’s comments to find out who else is a real expert
on the subject.

Looking for another way to build your own credibility on a topic and help your personal brand? Answer some questions and share your knowledge. Pro bloggers typically end their blog posts with thought provoking, engaging questions to get the conversation started. Quora skips all that fluff and gets right down to that last question at the end of the blog post. And the responses are great.

Check it out. I’ll save my question for Quora:)

Are You Doing What You Love?

Image via Wikipedia

Working is tough. Doing work that you don’t enjoy is simply hell.

Once this topic comes up, suddenly everyone becomes a wise sage and throws “Do what you love” in your face. Right. Unless your family owns a country or they did something like inventing the Internet, you’re stuck with the rest of us and must work for a living.

Am I doing what I love? Yea, I’d say so. But, I’d also love to be a Formula 1 Race Car Driver. I’d love to be a professional NFL place kicker. I’d even love to be a Florist. However, at one point of my life, I didn’t make the decision to truly pursue those options. (based on ability & reality though) My original dream was to be an architect. I even went to college for it…just wasn’t for me.

Yet, I still believe there’s a way to “work” & do the stuff you love. We just need to make the time.

Read about what you love
Take an online class about it
Associate with the people that are close to it
Write about it

Doing these things at least let me do more of the things I love .

Are you doing what you love? If so, how did it happen for you?

How To Create an Effective Amplify Page

Amplify is a new site that acts very much like a content aggregator and a social bookmarking site. I like it’s ability to let you quickly grab content (either your own or someone else’s) save it and distribute it to other sites – while also creating a network of people, or “sources” as referred to by Amplify.

Dave Grossman and Eric Goldstein are the Co-Founders of Amplify – perfect examples of the cutting edge, creative minds you’ll find contributing to the content stream within the site. The site is very easy to use, connects plenty of relevant networks and provides a nice customization element with regards to themes and styles.

The sidebar customization adds a nice touch with different items and functionality such as your LinkedIn profile and the ability to follow others without going to their page. I also like the Amplify browser bookmark button which provides easier posting access from any site. Standard interactive fare is everywhere – doesn’t seem like they skipped a beat with anything needed to contribute, interact and engage – both on the site and off.

Want to customize the appearance of your Amplog? Here’s a quick list of items to make a truly effective social media presence when creating your profile: (Editing my background only took about 20 minutes)

Select Settings and click the first section: Design Your Amplog
Title: Change the title to add your own flair & style; keep in mind this also changes the title tag of your page – use if carefully to help your SEO efforts from a personal branding perspective.
Background Image: Upload your own custom design or image; size it larger than 1400 x 800 if you want one large image without having to tile/repeat it.
Header Image: Upload your own custom header; size this image at 996px wide x 110px tall for a perfect fit. (Check the hide header titles box if uploading your own image)
Select Color Palette: Choose colors that compliment your background & header images – make it pleasing to the eye without being overly distracting or annoying.
Custom CSS: Add additional customization with your own custom CSS to really make your Amplog stand out from the crowd. Need help? Give my good friend Kristen a shout – she’ll pretty it up for ya.

I also like their featured user section on the home page and footer of every profile page.

I wonder what it takes to become a featured user?

Words from our friends in WHS: Read our web hosting reviews and choose the best web hosting service suitable for your needs.

8 Cheap/Free Ways Beginners Can Build & Promote A Great Website

A friend recently asked for a few resources to help get his new website up and running. Cost and simplicity are key factors.

Below is the short list I shared with him.

Site resources: (Easy to use & very cost-effective)

Squarespace.com – site platform (Built-in blog, social site integrations, hosting, domain, email/newsletter services…basically a one-stop shop)
WordPress.com – free blogging platform (Add’l off-page resource for linking)

Social sites: (Will help build awareness, create more interaction & even drive traffic)

Linking resources: (Free resources to help you get familiar with social bookmarking/linking activities)

Helpful tips when organizing your site, pages/sections and content.

Primary goal(s)/purpose of the site(s): Ex. Leads, appointments, request info, etc…
Site sections: Ex. Home, About, Services/Offerings, Image Galleries, Contact Us, etc…
Page content: Page copy for each section within the page, images, links, etc…anything that you want on the page, should be included.
Additional images & links (employees/staff head shots, logos, extra images, etc)
Add’l helpful info: Competitors & other sites that you like
A list of keywords people may use to find you on Google

The cost is simply your own time, your website name (URL) and hosting. Total for these resources is approximately $15-$25/mo. depending on the plan chosen.

DIY risk is the possibility poor usability and missing effective social media strategies; nothing that can’t be learned over time or from additional help from a friend:)

Have any favorite “starter” tools/tips you recommend? There are so many good tools out there…

8 Places My iPhone Isn’t Allowed

: Image via CrunchBase

2010 is supposed to be the year of the mobile phone. More elements of content on the web are being consumed via mobile devices. This surge in usage can’t be 100% healthy on your interpersonal relationships.

Here’s the 8 Places my IPhone isn’t allowed.

1. While driving
2. While in bed
3. Meals. Unless I’m eating alone
4. Anytime I’m supposed to be listening to my wife
5. Meetings with my CEO
6. Meetings with vendors
7. Movies
8. While getting an MRI. Not safe at all.

What are you doing to keep your mobile addiction in check?

(posted via my iPhone in between #’s 3 & 4)

Why Athletes Shouldn’t Be Role Models

I’ve read where people are pissed that Tiger Woods isn’t a role model for kids anymore.

This is such crap. WE assign the label of role model for our kids and we enforce the belief that kids should in fact be watching their every step. As if doing so reliquishes our need to guide and instruct our youths and become a true role model.

Kobe, Tiger, Bill Cosby, President Clinton and David Letterman. They fell into that role model category that made us all so “dissapointed” when their star took a hit.

Too much emphasis is on these people as role models – as a person. All we ever get to see, with the exception of the random online gossip column, photo & video, is their pre-packaged, pristine image as they do the one thing that helped them achieve A-list status. Winning championships, humaniratian efforts and daily performances are all respectable items – and the arduous task of how they acheived their superstar status is what should be lauded.

The passion for their mission is respectable. The drive to become tops in their category and their daily grind is respectable. But don’t look for these people to become your guidepost as the perfect role model for either you or your kids.

In the case of Tiger Woods, he’s the best the game has ever seen. He’s intense. Does it really come as a shock to anyone that he had multiple girlfriends? I’m actually shocked he didn’t have more. Of course what he did is not right, but the average person on the street can’t even begin to pretend to walk in his shoes.

Admire the superstar efforts that went into making them your idol. Don’t set yourself up for dissapointment when your role model does something “shocking” just because you have elevated them to deity status in your mind.

They’re people just like you and me. People who make mistakes.

Would love to hear your thoughts…

(Published via WP-iPhone app.)

How To Create A Custom Facebook Layout

Want to make your Facebook profile to stand out from the other 300 million blue and white themed accounts?

Check out PageRage

; install the Yonto Layers application, then select one of the 900+ free backgrounds from their directory.

Your friends will also need to add the application to their profile to see your new background design.

Witness for the Prosecution move

Men of Honor dvdrip Since you probably don’t have it installed, here’s a sample design I selected. Simple, but I like it. Plenty of styles and themes to choose from within 28 categories. Show off your style…

Note: Once PageRage is installed, you’ll notice a new link above your avatar: “Select PageRage Layout” – click the link to add your new layout

7 Ways To Prevent #FF from Jumping The Shark

Every Friday on twitter, you’ll find an a endless supply of recommended people to follow. If you’ve ever seen a tweet begin with #FF or #FollowFriday – that’s what its all about. Its a brilliant idea and a very unique way to use twitter; @micah is the bright guy who came up with the concept.

An idea that’s about to jump the shark.

#FollowFriday recommendations begin to flood the screen at the stroke of midnight on Thursday. People even like to sneak some in before midnight; some like to brag about being the person who delivered the first tip.

For the next 24 hours, you’ll see carefully crafted messages containing profile names like a shopping list. Oprah? Really?

The Queen of Spades buy

Afro Samurai: Resurrection movies Recommending quality followers is a great thing. I’d hate to see it turn into an exercise in futility. I enjoy being recommended just as much as the next person. Thing is, I don’t see a noticeable increase in Friday followers when compared to any other day. Probably because everyone else on twitter is busy making lists of people to follow.

Here’s the guidelines I follow to make it effective and reduce noise – adopt as you wish:

When recommending someone, at least be sure you’re following them; why would I follow them if you’re not?
Don’t re-tweet someone else’s tweet recommending you. Tacky.
Don’t send individual, public thank-you’s to every person who gave you a #FF bump. Send a DM.
Send out a couple individual #FF rec’s; include a meaningful reason for the recommendation.
Help deserving people with less followers than you; they’ll appreciate it and it’ll help build your presence even more.
If you can’t fight the urge to create a list of names, group them together others within a market segment.
Don’t brag about how many #FF rec’s you received that day. Yay. You’re popular.

Sam Kinison: Breaking the Rules divx

My Bloody Valentine video

How do you effectively use #FollowFriday?

Your Business Card Is Lame

Undiscovered psp But it probably is. Sorry to be the one to tell you, but someone had to do it…

You have the experience. Probably bought a nice suit. Practiced your pitch a million times. And then you hand over a business card that looks like the rest of the rectangle scraps of paper in the garbage can.

Another incredible opportunity to brand yourself, or your company, down the drain. It amazes me when I meet creative and unique personalities and their business card misses the mark. Your business card could be the ‘PS’ of your meeting or introduction.

What if your card was just slightly different? What if they showed it, or even mentioned it, to a few of their colleagues?

Our used car business is unique; my business cards should be as well. Kristen Young designed this…she does amazing work.

Here’s another great example from the car industry. This is Patrick Workman’s metal business card with raised lettering. Besides being memorable and downright cool, he mentioned something about the ability to do minor home repairs with it as well.

Lee Drake & David Kelly are also excellent examples of people passionate about their business. Their cards are strong indicators of the pride taken in their business. Lee’s rounded edges, simple geometric proportions and logo embossing create a memorable card. David’s mini-book business card is a fun experience all by itself; balancing white space with an eye-popping image is a nice balance.

Armed and Dangerous move Take the time to create a killer business card. You need every advantage possible these days.

Have a unique business card? Share it…

LEGO Business Cards (ubergizmo.com)
60+ Most Beautiful and Creative Business Cards Design (web2list.com)

Location Based Marketing Strategies

Location based marketing & digital strategies you can use. WhatDidEricSay.com

Category Archives: personal branding