Social Media Camp Austin Wrap-Up

We're now 24 hours out from what I will call one of the more successful camps that I have participated in. Austin was definitely a worthwhile city to host a Social Media Camp brought to you by Social Media Club.

For starters let me just say that I was not totally high on the location of the event, but ultimately it worked itself out. I will say for the record though, there truly was no excuse for lack of an internet connection. Those of us that tried were welcomed with constant dropped signals and constant appearing and disappearing signals. It was frustrating and a great many of us joked that this was perhaps the longest any of us had ever been without a network connection.

Thank goodness for mobile phones! These little devices really saved us from what may have been an complete blackout in terms of connection to the outside world. It was definitely a weird feeling.

Nevertheless the "unconference" format was the backbone of the event and all sorts of media types took the opportunity to set themselves up with sessions that would eventually lead to some pretty outstanding discussions.

Some of the sessions that stand out most in my mind were Scott Allen's virtual etiquette lesson. As a communications major myself, I found it fascinating that so many of us forget the common courtesies when meeting someone via online. It's as if the excuse of not being face to face is enough to warrant a complete dismissal of common courtesy. To read up more about Scott's message check out The Virtual Handshake.

The two sessions I found phenomenal was the session done by Dell, "Defining A Community of Business," and Michelle Greer's "Data Portability" discussion. Both were relevant discussions on the forward movement of social media and information in general. I really wish that Michelle would have had more time, or perhaps could have been moved to the smaller room because I think the discussion could have gone on longer.

Brad's topic of utilizing social media as a tool for educating at risk youth was amazing. Now this is a guy that is changing the world! By harnessing the global power of social networks and the ability to broadcast yourself around the net, his students are not only getting real world application, they are realizing they are not alone in the world.

I got to experience my first Half Baked session which was more than I bargained for, but a whole lot of fun! Here's what Half Baked is for those that don't know. 50 words, 2 are selected, 15 min. to create a biz plan and marketing plan, 5 min. to present. Talk about a fast and furious challenge, but the biz plans that came out of it were very funny.

Want to know what the biz plans were? Was "Porn for Priests" an idea? Find out by doing a Twitter Search for #smcampaustin and follow my posts. That will give you an entire run down of the event along with the Half Baked competition.

Despite the lack of an internet connection which was not the fault of Social Media Camp or it's sponsors, I think everyone had a blast and really connected at this event. There are only a few more stops left on the Social Media Camp Tour, Miami, Boston, and New York. If you can make it GO! The price is always right, FREE!

Also to see photos of the Mashable After party, check @michaelcummings Flickr site.



Photo Credit, wmmarc

Social Media Camp Austin, Mashable Afterparty

Today I will be posting up a full review of the event that I attended in Austin for Social Media Club (SMC). SMC put on a seven city tour for their Social Media Camp! Austin was selected, deservedly so, and all that attended had a blast.



I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone that was involved and some shout outs to some great people I met.



For starters a big thank you to Social Media Club and Mashable for being the biggest part of this. I got to meet Pete Cashmore, founder of Mashable, and had a blast joking with him. A very approachable guy who loved having a good time with all of us. Erica O'Grady was the "MC" for the event, and her duties were quite an undertaking. Kudos for her for keeping the event going and making sure all 140+ attendees were happy with the event. If you're not following her on Twitter, why not?



Another big thank you for all the sponsors for this amazing event:

• Yoono


• StrategicLee


• WordPress


• Blog Catalog


• Sticker Giant


• Babylon Burning Screen Printing


• Collarfree.com

A big thank you also to Thistle Cafe for providing the location for the event.



If you have a chance to attend the Social Media Camp, then go! You will not regret it. If you'd like to see a run down of the entire event, then do a Twitter Search for the tag #smcampaustin and you can find a play by play by yours truly.



A shout out to all the guys @conjunctured, an amazing co-working space, the crew from Austin 3.0, @jljohansen for allowing us to kidnap him temporarily, @jobmudflap for amazing conversation, @SheilaS for making it out to the after party and providing even more great conversation. I met a lot of people about town yesterday and last night, so thank you all for an awesome time.



Stay tuned for a write up on the event itself.



Photo Credit, b_d_solis

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SocialMediaCamp Austin Bound

Tomorrow, Daily Slackr will be present for SocialMediaCamp Austin. If you'd like to follow the updates throughout the day, feel free to add me on Twitter, @pandaran. I'll also be blogging on the various forums that I will be participating in.

If you're in the area, come on by. The event is free, and looks to be another great avenue for exchanging ideas, networking with media professionals, and camaraderie.

Make sure you subscribe to this blog to get the full reviews of the attended sessions, and links to other blogs and video sites that will be covering the event.

SocialMediaCamp Austin is sponsored by Yoono, and afterwards an after party is being sponsored by Mashable. What better way to end the day then a few drinks and a ton of laughs?

If you plan on attending the event, Twitter me and let me know. Give me a call tomorrow on my cell, the number is on the right hand column. I look forward to meeting all of you and having a great time.

See you there!

10 Lessons From Life

I'm often asked what lessons I've learned as a writer, a networking, and communications professional. Now I've never claimed to be an expert in my field, but there is nothing fancy to the road I travel. I've taken some of life's most fundamental lessons and applied them to my career.

This listing is in no particular order, but I hope that this insight can perhaps assist professionals that are starting out, or perhaps the veteran that might need to refocus their efforts. Nevertheless reflect on this list and hopefully I can help someone out there who is in need.

1. Never be afraid to take risks. Taking risks is a part of what I do as a writer and networking professional. I'm always experimenting with writing methods and exercises. As a networking professional, I put myself out on a limb by approaching anyone and everyone; not for self serving agendas, but rather to meet new and interesting people. As an early adopter of as many social media networks available, I take a risk in what could perhaps be a defunct application, but I try, enjoy it, and learn from my experiences.

2. There is no such thing as a dumb question. I recently wrote a post titled, "Think Like A Child," and in that post I stated that too often as adults we refrain from being inquisitive. Whether it's because we are embarrassed, or because we think we can figure it out on our own, we negate our curious human nature. Rather, find someone whom you trust and ask that question, get the answers, develop more questions, and so on. So go ahead, ask away! There truly is no dumb question, just questions left unasked.

3. Honesty is always the best policy! If you learn nothing else form this list, heed this lesson. Too often because we are masked behind a computer screen and a computer handle, we may be tempted to embellish our profiles, or act differently towards the online community. This may work for some time, but ultimately when you are uncovered as a fake, your online support network will run in the other direction. To prevent this, be honest with yourself, be honest with your friends, and be honest in your work. Being exposed as a liar is a very humiliating experience.

4. There is wisdom in the saying, "two heads are better than one." In our modern global community, teamwork is almost inevitable. By working together with other like minded supporters, work can be done faster, answers derived in a shorter amount of time, and progress made effectively. By allowing your ideas to meld with those of another you are introduced to a point of view you would not have had otherwise working alone. Enjoy working with others and learn!

5. Never leave a "man" behind. I use the term "man" in the universal sense, and we've all heard this idea in relations to our military, but it has a personal life application as well. Sharing knowledge is fundamental if we look to grow together as a community. Being deemed an expert in any given field lends itself to you lifting people up to great heights by sharing your knowledge. To leave your peers behind is to wield your knowledge in a pompous all-knowing manner. To do that is to find yourself utterly alone. Be sure that others can benefit from your knowledge.

6. A leader leads by example. In the many odd jobs I held in college, and even immediately after, I learned that a leader is one that is willing to "get their hands dirty." A leader is not defined by how much they are paid, how many people they manage, or even how long they have manged, but rather the respect that others have for the leader. A solid leader understands that they do not stand outside or above those they manage, but rather with them.

7. Share the wealth. A quick way to find yourself an outcast is to take another person's idea and knowledge and claim it as your own. Not only does this completely fly against No. 3, but your credibility is greatly damaged by this action. While you should always take credit for hard work, if you worked as a team, share that success with others. Giving credit to those who supported you will in turn create a larger support network. By sharing the "wealth" you attract success, and with success comes good fortune. So make sure you've given credit where credit is due because if not, your fall from grace is not far behind.


8. Stand on the shoulders of giants. Nowadays you don't hear too much about apprenticeships, the new buzz word is internship, but the two are distinctly different. An internship is one where you get real work experience by being tossed into the fray with an expectation of prior knowledge to keep you afloat. An apprenticeship is one where a professional takes someone under their wing and truly works with them to hone their craft. I say bring the idea back and seek out a mentor, someone you trust and respect. You will be amazed and the number of industry professionals willing to assist those walking the same path as them. Learn from them, heed their advice, and avoid the pitfalls. You'll be surprised at how much further you can go in your career with the write person in your corner, providing the right advice to advance you.

9. Know your limitations. You cannot do everything. Let that sink in. Let me say it again, you can't do everything. Too often we try to involve ourselves in everything that interests us, but rather then achieve great success we find ourselves struggling to maintain a balance in our lives. Think back to high school extracurricular activities, and all they had to offer. Clubs, organizations, sports, but at some point you had to draw the line with your involvement. If you did not, your grades and personal performance across the board slipped. Life in the work world is no different. Know your limitations and avoid the traps along the way.

10 Keep your goals in sight. Start with the end in mind. A solid road map of your goals can keep you on track no matter where you plan on going. Each milestone you cross is further encouragement to strive for what you desire. Unfortunately there will be many detractors and road blocks along the way, but a solid plan will easily help you overcome these obstacles. The goal at the end of it all is worth it, so stick to it.

Photo Credit, Malenga, Scottish Libraries

Think Like A Child

One of the most amazing things of having children, 4 & 2 years old, is the amount of questions that these little individuals have. I don't remember much before 5 years age, most of my memory from earlier times are just flashes of images, as if just out of reach to fully grasp. I am sure I was no different from them though.



"Daddy why...?"



"When did you...?"



"Why does...?"



My wife and I wish we had a remote sometimes, but far be it for us to kill a child's curiosity. It's how we all learned, but as we grow older we lose the inclination to ask questions and settle into just smiling and nodding through the things we don't understand.



Whether you think it's not "cool" to ask, or perhaps you feel foolish for not knowing something that someone else obviously knows, not asking questions will only leave you more confused and unknowing then you were before.



I reflect on the fearless approach my children have with new topics, and with reckless abandon they fire questions, left and right, because they are hungry to know. If only we would allow ourselves just a brief moment to think like a child. The idea of social media is fairly new when considering how long we've been connected as a global community. There are no experts, but there are those that have more experience, and to those of us that are just starting out, we consider experts in the field.



That being said, I personally have found a great relationship with those that I follow online via Twitter, email, Friendfeed, and LinkedIn. I made a decision that I am interested enough to understand how technology binds us together and allows us instantaneous communication, that I would ask all the questions I could.



Like a child I started, and I connected with people that I felt were far more experienced but approachable nonetheless. People like Cheryl Smith, Chris Brogan, and Jennifer Navarrete have been great mentors to me, helping me find my niche in this field. I continue to ask questions, explore options and grow.



Are you asking questions? Have you allowed yourself to grow by asking those you look up to? This concept is not industry specific, you can be anyone doing anything, but asking questions is the only way to grow.



Thinking like a child definitely has it's benefits.



Photo Credit, JeremyHall

Leadership in Your Own Right

True leadership is a quality that many possess but few exhibit. Recently, I read an excellent post from Robin Sharma's email newsletter that discussed Nelson Madela's 8 leadership lessons. These lessons are great advice to live by, but how do they transfer to the world of social media?



1. Courage is not the absence of fear - it's inspiring others to move beyond it:



Nothing happens in life unless we take risks. This does not mean we jump into any and everything we see, but rather take calculated risks with some understanding of the outcomes. Still, it takes courage to be the first to venture in a new direction, but by doing so you inspire others to follow. While social media expands into new frontiers, we as a community are encouraged to push those boundaries, experiment and share.  Growth comes thru courage.



2. Lead from the front but don't leave your base behind:



Whether you're writing a blog, creating a new application, and managing a business, the leader must never forget their base of supporters. A quality leader will always make sure their team is on track. Leaving anyone behind will only create trouble and eventually a fractured community. Have no fears taking charge, but always remember that your base has entrusted you to lead them to a successful outcome.



3. Lead from the back and let others believe they are in front:



This may seem counter productive to the previous item, but take a look at the lesson again. Leadership is not always about being in the lead. Many think leadership means a top position at the head of the ranks, but a true leader is measured by how many people they can raise up and make successful. Leadership is just a means, not an end.



4. Know your enemy and learn about his favorite sport:



I dare say anyone in the social media community is an "enemy." But look a the community as your competition, a measuring stick of sorts. I order to succeed  you need to know the game you're playing. Learn what others are doing, educate yourself and be better. Make yourself unique, create a brand that the community can rally around and support.



5. Keep your friends close - and your rivals even closer:



Online there is something for everyone, and chances are you are not the only peson writing or producing the product of choice. Your rivals are basically those in the same arena as you. The word rival may dredge up some unsavory images, but the competition is what will keep us on our toes. Always be aware of what others in your field are doing. Follow pertinent trade publications and business reports to stay current on trends and issues that relate to your field. By keeping a close eye on the aforementioned items, your product remains current and relevant.



6. Appearances matter - and remember to smile:



This lesson is especially important in today's online world. Appearances do matter, since you are judged by the product you put out. What face do you want people to see, are you transparent enough to communicate with your community? A friendly and open business tends to rally more supporters from their customer base, and eventually sees more success. This again goes back to personal brand, which essentially will make you or break you. You can read a great series of articles from Chris Brogan on personal brands here.



7. Nothing is black or white:



This little lesson is something we should always hold dear to us, whether in the real world or virtual world, nothing is black or white. Never take anything for face value when you're taking charge. Look at all sides, make sound decisions based on research, analysis, and understanding. Being a leader means people are watching. Always consider alternatives in order to be successful, because there is always more than one side to every situation.



8. Quitting is leading too:



Knowing when to retreat is not cowardice, it's tactical. A solid leader knows that sometimes retreating or quitting is the best option. It saves time, money, and/or resources. Rethinking and retooling are a part of the growth process. DON'T let pride take you down a slippery slope. Too many leaders will trudge forward despite the overwhelming roadblocks that repeatedly impede success. By pulling back, you have the opportunity to evaluate your progress and plan better for the future.



These rules of leadership are vital for everyone person reading this piece. There are no limits to our own success except the limits we put on ourselves. Take to heart the lessons above and build on them. Relate them to what you do and apply them.



Photo Credit, p c w

It's the Little Things...

We've all heard the saying as kids, "it's the little things" that count. As teens and young adult you learn that relationships are built on "the little things." As a consumer of goods in a global society, we look for businesses who take that extra step by providing "the little things."



Such a simple phrase, but the reality is simply that the little things amount to a whole lot.



I am priveleged to connect with a wide range of friends through Twitter. Some, I may see in my lifetime, others, I may never come across  @cherylsmith999, or Cheryl Smith of CultureSmith Consulting is one of those friends who I deeply respect.



When Cheryl sought help with one of her posts, I gladly obliged by offering my suggestion via Twitter. She approved and I jokingly told her I charged royalty fees. For every click I should receive 10 cents. It was a simple joke, but weeks later I get a card from her with a personalized message and two coins attached to the card. I laughed thinking of a friend who took the time to remember my joke, and then send me a card.



Think about how you communicate with those you've become friends with. Could we not all learn from something as simple as a card in the mail?



Because ultimately, "it's the little things" that mater most, is it not?

Welcome New Subscribers

I noticed yesterday and today that there has been quite a lot of activity on Daily Slackr. I want to say thanks for all those stopping by. I'd like to extend a welcome to all those that have subscribed.

Coming this August I will be moving to WordPress and currently I'm working on a design for the site.

I encourage you to leave comments on the articles you feel most strongly about. I enjoy meeting new people and participating in the conversation.

If you are following Daily Slackr, here are a few others I highly recommend as well:

• Chris Brogan of chrisbrogan.com

• Darren Rowse of Problogger

• Terry Starbucker of terrystarbucker.com 

• Jim Tobin of Ignite Social Media

• Steven Finch of Crenk

• Valeria Maltoni of Conversation Agent 

Enjoy!

Get Sticky with A Pro...

...with a Problogger that is!

Darren Rowse of Problogger fame has an excellent post, "21 Ways to Make Your Blog or Website Sticky."

No, don't sneeze on it! Sticky simply means maintaining consistent traffic. Consistent traffic is the aim for every blogger, right next to increasing readership.

So if you're analytics are spiking, stop the yo-yo effect, and get sticky now!

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Effective Use of Online Media Tools

Far too many arguments exist on the uselessness of online tools. These individuals feel especially bitter towards the social networks such as Twitter, Facebook, and FriendFeed to name a few. To them these tools are frivolous additions to an already “infected” form of media filled with misinformation and misguided users, the Internet.

My argument is that while anything can be seen as a waste of time, effective use of any tool is what creates value. If value can be established, then worth is created and results are sure to follow.

For example, would you show up to fix an engine with a feather duster? If so you’ve basically rendered that feather duster useless, and thus will not garner any results. How about an operation with a screwdriver? You get my point. Matching the needs with the right tool can make or break your desired results.

A lot of us are plugged into social networks, but the question becomes are we effectively utilizing them for the best results?

In my experience I have found social media outlets to be indispensable. I have found Twitter an excellent resource for ideas, networking, new information, and news. Outlets like Facebook and LinkedIn allow me to network with old friends and industry professionals respectively. YouTube has been a great way to see video of DIY projects as well as interesting talk show projects for up and comers.

Anything can be rendered useless if the need does not match the service, so make sure you match them accordingly.

I’d like to know some creative ways you’ve used social media to your advantage. Do you use it for marketing yourself or your business, gathering a community together around an issue, or perhaps using it as inspiration? I’d love to hear how you’re using the tools at your disposal.

Photo Credit, RRRRRR

Link To the Community, Or DIE!

Die? Perhaps not literally, but be seen as insignificant and selfish perhaps; which could be considered a death sentence for a blog. This idea for part 3 of my series on writing looks at intricate ways you can make your material more interactive.



Why Link?



So you're writing relevant material. Everything you write has purpose and as a result you've built a community that relates with you. Now a for a fledgling blogger, you've reached a critical point where you must become a part of the community. You've built up an identity, you're supporters are reading your material, but how long will they be interested?



Never consider yourself a closed community. Of heard this description regarding writing, especially on a blog; A site is like an island, you might be able to sustain yourself for a little while, but sooner or later you must sail out into the unknown and connect with another site (island), you build a relationship, but sooner or later you must go out again and this action repeats itself, thus the community becomes your support mechanism. An interesting analogy. How important would you be if all you did was market your wares, neglecting to share what you've accumulated from those around you?



Link, link, link. There is no limit to how many people you link to in your writing, but the more you incorporate the knowledge of others it does three things for you:

• It gives the reader the impression that you've researched your work and that you respect the work of others.

• The reader is introduced to a new person, a new blog, and will be grateful for you sharing this information.

• You increase your chances of being seen on a search.

Link With A Purpose

Linking out should be done with careful consideration. You want to avoid being a "link whore," one who literally links anything and everything for the sake of viewership and traffic. While you're writing, if you incorporate an idea from a competitor, link to it. Sure it may not make sense to you, but by doing so you're opening yourself up to the community and seen as a person who shares resources as opposed to one who hordes.



Problogger agrees with this idea in his post "12 Tools and Techniques For Building Relationships With Other Bloggers ."



" Link Out - linking to a competitors blog could seem like a crazy thing to do but it can make a real impression and show other bloggers your willingness to interact."



The infamous Chris Brogan of ChrisBrogan.com also comments on linking in his article "Basic Business Blogging Suggestions."


"We pay attention to where you link. If every link in your blog is to your own stuff, we discount you as self-referential. Consider pointing out other great posts in your space, and give adequate links and credit. Don’t sell the store, but make sure you’re building a healthy linking habit. Otherwise, links will rarely flow inward as well."



Who To Link To

This is an easy answer. Link to people you read. If you're in the "business of blogging" then you are probably already reading some great veteran bloggers out there who've been in your shoes. They share their experiences for free if you are willing to learn. Get inspired by them, follow their footsteps. As you write, you can definitely reference them in your writing to provide support for your thoughts. You can also refer to news sites. Everyone reads news, so when you blog feel free to reference articles you read, or other media formats, and if you can embed them into your post, all the better.



Don't be shy, be interactive. The idea is not to alienate people, but rather make them feel inclusive.



With the information you now have, don't let your site die. Don't let the community think you're too selfish to interact in the conversation. Link to share, and reap the rewards. It might not be immediate, but the return over time is priceless. 

 

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Photo Credit tris, Randy Stewart, lovestruck

Put A Little "You" In The Story

As a part of my series on writing, part 2 will focus on humanizing your story, or what I call, putting a little "you" in the story.



Nothing sends readers running for the hills than an article written from a completely series and detached approach. There are very few periodicals that approach their material like this, and they are mostly niche markets like science magazines, medical magazines, and other trade publications. So unless you're writing about quantum physics, or a new surgery procedure, it pays to make  your story interesting.



Human Touch



It does not matter whether you are a business writer or a recreational writer, always remember that people do not like being lectured, but rather talked with. It is through this exchange that ideas are communicated, and opinions are built on and intellectual debate can flourish. This participation is what establishes good writing.



We as humans look for an emotional connection in everything we do. It fuels are financial decisions, it fuels are relationship decisions, it even fuels are decisions on what is are favorite food and/or music. Even not having a feeling on something, apathy, is an emotional state. Thus, it is vital that if we expect participation, if we expect community, there needs to be something that people can connect with.



A very popular and obvious suggestion is including a story about yourself. Who else knows your story better than you? When you are writing your articles insert some of you in it and it becomes relatable.



If you try to direct your readers, tell them what they should or should not do, you will find yourself utterly alone.



Build community don’t destroy, and remember, people deal with humans, not corporate or business entities, and definitely anyone that plans on lecturing or telling others how things should be.



Photo Credit, lewishamdreamer

Daily Slackr Around the Net

It's been a busy week for me professionally with preparations for starting a Social Media Club in San Antonio, but also personally with my wife starting school, following her dream of going into fashion design.

That being said I have been busily writing as much as I can, looking for opportunities to share my ideas, my posts, and my commentary across the various sites that I follow.

Here are a few other sites where you can catch my articles!

I. On Crenk check out the following:

AT&T's Browser: Pogo is a No Go is a review on the new Pogo browser from AT&T. Why do I not recommend it? Click and take a gander at just how powerful your machine must be in order to run this application.

If you're looking for a new place to park your homepage, read up on Netvibes: Why Set Your Home Page Anywhere Else. Find out just now nifty this little homepage solution is and how it stacks up against it's larger rival iGoogle.

There are lots of places to catalog your blog, some are more advertising then you'd like, but thankfully Blog Catalog has come along and offered something unique for the blogging community; Blog Catalog: A Directory and Social Features All in One.

If you're looking for a quick and dirty way to create quick movies with your photos, then head on over to Animoto. If Final Cut Pro and iMovie are too complicated for you, then this program is for you, Animoto: Video Production Done Simply.


II. If you're looking for more than just reviews, head on over to Bloggin-Ads where I share my thoughts on a variety of topics dealing with blogging, business, and building and maintaing an online community.

Success With Blogging for A Business is my most recent post where I discuss some of the intricacies with writing for a business. Read for some of the benefits and the pitfalls that come with such opportunities.

Photo Credit, Crashmaster007

Are You Writing Intentionally?

This post begins a series, that I feel will be of great value, on effective writing. The tidbits of information shared in this series are relevant for both on and offline writers. Over the next couple of days we will look at what your writing needs to build community interest and eventually, what creates monetization value.

The Spice of Writing

Writing for some of us is a pastime, for some it’s their bread and butter. But what is it that sets those that monetize and those that don’t apart?

Intention. Relevance.

Intention is what makes your writing relevant. Without intention, the interest and knowledge, there is no relevance, interest for others. Basically, you have to want and love what you write if you plan to spark an interest in others. Writing with a purpose, as opposed to just randomly tossing up your thoughts can have a drastic impact on the effectiveness of your writing. Keeping the reader in mind when you write is a perfect way to break this concept down to the simplest factor.

Why do people want to read you? What do you have to share in the conversation that sets you apart from others? Is it relatable?

Take a look at yourself very closely. You read articles on news sites and blogs sites, but why? What is that attracted you to the article in the first place. Secondly, what is that kept you interested enough in it to read the entire piece?

Most likely it was the relatable content, thus their intent with the information was to attract a specific reader and you were that reader. I’m trying not to complicate things, but ultimately look at what you like, what you enjoy, and what you follow and there is naturally a trend that directly relates to the types of mediums you consume information on.

Changing Pace

Assuming your writing fits the aforementioned criteria, you may have built a community of readers that now relates with your identity, with who you are and what you write.

Want to know a quick way to lose value within the community? Changing your goal and taking your writing in a direction you readers did not intend.

Once you’ve established your identity, do not dilute it with unfocused writing that has no purpose. This will confuse your audience, and could possibly cause you to lose some readership. The idea is to stay on topic and have a goal for all of your articles. Chris Brogan reiterates a fundamental concept we should all keep in mind on anything we begin, “start with the end in sight.”

Writers with purposeful articles maintain a readership that is actively involved in discussion. Intentional writing creates this interest because you are writing for the reader, not for yourself.Don’t keep your readers at arms length! Look over your writing, analyze yourself as you write and find yourself a market that responds to you and why you write.