David S. Finch

How to Work Through the Beginning Phase

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Let's face your not who you were and your not yet who'll you be. In other words, everything you are and do evolves as you evolve.

The challenge to starting a new business, blog or any creative initiative, is that the beginning is far from the end that you have intended. In all reality your first attempt at producing this new creative idea is probably going to suck. Accepting that it sucks and moving forward is the key to arriving at the desired results.

Ira Glass, host and executive producer of the public radio show, This American Life, recounts his early mistakes in attempting to create quality content that is enjoyable to listen. There is some priceless wisdom in the video... Enjoy!

[via 43folders]

Technorati Tags: blogging, business, personal development, podcasting, video, writing

How to Develop Your Blogging Workflow

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For many, developing a blogging workflow is created by trail and error. However, you can save yourself time and energy by learning from those that are doing it well. Why reinvent the wheel when you can gleam knowledge from those that are a few steps ahead of you.

Chris Brogan, blogger and community developer, breaks down the blogging workflow into three areas, goals, tasks and tools. Chris suggests when setting your goals:

Seek link traffic - I write certain posts (like anything with a big number) with a secondary goal of deriving links from you to the story. Why? Because that tells Google and Technorati that I’m doing good things over here, and that matters.
Seek advice - I often write posts where I ask for your opinion. Why have a blog if you can’t start conversations?
Establish thought leadership - When I write about something way off from the norm of what others are blogging about, it’s to show you that I’m not a “me too” blogger.
Promote something interesting - This might be people or software or an event. One point about promotion posts versus other kinds: if you’re looking for comments, promotion posts rarely get them.
Link love to others - Sometimes, I want to give other people the spotlight, or point out good writing elsewhere. It’s important to keep that in mind. Linking out promotes linking in.

After setting your goals it's then time to use the right tools to achieve your tasks as a blogger. Check out the rest of Chris' post as he breaks down the blogger's workflow.

A Sample Blogging Workflow [Chris Brogan]

Technorati Tags: blogging

3 Simple Tips to Finding Your Voice

photo by: star-dust

Anyone that has created content, written or spoken, understands the challenge it can become finding your own voice. In other words, being yourself. However, when you begin, your confidence isn't there and you usually find that you imitate those you admire. What can be embarrassing is when someone recognizes who your trying to imitate and let's you know.

Here are a few things have helped me in producing content using my own voice.

1. Practice makes perfect: The only way you'll find your voice is to continue to write, speak, act etc. The more you produce the more comfortable you'll become in who you are. Experiment until you find what comes natural for you.

2. Know your subject: Many times the reason why we don't produce with originality is because we're uncertain of our subject. A lot of times you can save yourself some embarrassment by waiting until your subject is a part of you versus something you just parrot.

3. Inspiration not Imitation: Find your inspiration from your influencers. I've have a group of individuals that I deeply admire. I study there determination, their habits, and their influencers. I feed off of their success, but only as a means of inspiration.

When you find your voice producing content will seem so much easier. Blog or pod fading will become less a reality in your future.

What have you've done to find your own voice? What has been your biggest challenge? Leave a comment and become part of the conversation.

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Technorati Tags: blogging, new media

Top 5 in November

November was great month for davidsfinch.com. Increase in subscribers and traffic was extremely encouraging. Thanks to all who have subscribed and linked to davidsfinch.com.

Top 5 in November:

7 Ways to Increase Your Income
Are you looking to increase your income? I haven't met a person yet who isn't wanting to find more time and more money. Getting rich quick schemes are not the answer, but if you become creative you can discover legitimate solutions.

How to Break the "No Productivity" Funk
Nothing can be more frustrating than setting out to tackle a project and spend the whole day getting absolutely nothing accomplished. I've had days when it seemed like there was one interruption after another. There have been other times when I couldn't get focused. Then there are times when you make excuses about the interruptions and lack of focused and still get nothing done.

Insider Secrets to Making Team Ventures Work
Success of any venture often times boils down to the harmony within the corporate team. Unfortunately many startups fail not because of a product issue, but because of a leadership issue.

How to Live Your Mission with a Marathon Runner's Mindset
Success in any task always comes down to your ability to endure. Endurance is what keeps you moving forward when your thoughts and feelings can tell you to throw in the towel.

Do You Have What it Takes to Succeed?
In the midst of going for your dreams, or trying to achieve your goals, your never short on information, ideas, tips and opinions. Transitioning from paper talk to walk the talk is often what separates the successful from the wanna-be.

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Technorati Tags: finances, personal mission statement, productivity, self-development, teams

Are You Creating Buzz?

On the day after Apple dropped the price on the iPhone and also unveiled the new iPod line, Louisville is celebrating the grand opening of the Apple Store here in the commonwealth. At six o'clock this evening a large, energetic crowd counted down this special event that brings allegiance to every Mac owner. The buzz that Apple generates every time they open a new store is incredible.

Being the life long student that I am, I'm always learning lessons from everything. Tonight I asked myself the question, "what kind of buzz is this blog generating and who's talking about it? I then began to think about how many products are released every year that never go anywhere. It's not that it's not a good product or software, it just lacks the buzz.

In the spirit of generating buzz, I want to introduce you to an incredible fifteen year old blogger from New Zealand, Glenn Wolsey. Glenn blogs and also produces a video podcast, The Glenn Wosley Show. You'll be impressed with his content and energized by his enthusiasm.

Finally, what are you doing to create buzz about your favorite content developer?

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Technorati Tags: blogging, marketing, new media

Three Things I Learned While Not Blogging

It's can be very eye-opening when you make a decision to listen rather then speak (or write). Over the past three weeks I've been consumed with events like our family holiday, a week of house guests, not to mentioned some interesting developments going on with my "other" job. After a few days into my family vacation, I decided that I wouldn't allow the pressure to maintain stats and subscribers and blog. However I would just listen, no response, no email, just listen.

Here are three observations that I noticed over the past few weeks.

No One Noticed
One of the most interesting things is that no one really noticed that I hadn't blogged. My stats showed some fluctuation, but my subscribers increased. Those that did subscribe never inquired what was causing the lack of blog posts. What I realized wasn't that I needed to fear blog fade or reader loss, but that perhaps a blog built around a community is like a friendship that is built not by frequent get-togethers, but built on the things you share in common. It's like friendships you have that if you don't see each other for months or even longer, you pick up where you left off.

There Are More Echoes Than Voices
One of the things I did do was read all the blogs that I subscribed to. Usually I would take a few hours every few days and read what others have written. One thing that stood out is that there are a lot of blogs that are saying the same thing. Everyone posts about the latest gadget, the latest Web 2.0 application, rehashing productivity tips and tricks, but very few are blogging about cutting edge thoughts and ideas in their area of interests.

I spent a lot of timing thinking, re-imagining, and re-planning my strategy about my blogging initiatives. How much time would I spend being a voice versus how much time I would spend echoing what someone else said. Three posts a day that are just echos or one post a week with rich content that leads to conversations and action. It's the difference between the Back Street Boys and Prince, flood the market with a new album every six months or produce an even greater demand by producing an original product every few years. It's all about demand, but it's also about longevity.

The Possibilities of Are Endless
In this ever changing arena called the global village there are projects and networking taking place that just doesn't inform, but is built around activities that link people together. Groups like Prosper.com, who connect people with money, Grasshoppers who connect people to opportunities and groups like JustCause and JustGive who connect individuals to causes that make a difference financially, globally, and enviromentally.

What do I do with these new found observations? That's where the challenge takes place. What are your thoughts? What things have you learned over the past few weeks?

photo credit: Lost in Scotland

Technorati Tags: blogging, grasshoppers, proper.com, justcause.org, justgive.org

How to RESPOND to a Comment on Your Blog

A few days ago I wrote an article on, "How to Leave a Comment on a Blog." Today, I want to follow up that post with, "How to Respond to a Comment on Your Blog." Here are a few ideas for you to explore.

1. Decide on How You Will Respond
Are you going to personally email everyone that comments on your blog or leave comments within you blog, that is the question? Currently, I do both. I usually send a personal email and if I can keep the conversation going I will leave a comment on the blog. I usually don't respond if the comment is just a link to another blog or site.

2. Always Show Appreciation
I always show appreciation to the individual who took the time to comment. I truly am grateful to anyone who leaves their thoughts, appreciation or even those individuals that disagree. It's all about listening and learning.

3. Build Upon Their Comment
If at all possible I'll try to add something to their comment. I don't force this, but when I can I will

4. If the One Comment is a Blogger Visit Their Site
This is a great opportunity to discover a new blog, network and join the conversation at their blog.

That's it! How do you approach responding to comments on your blog? What would you add or leave out? Leave a comment and share your tips and ideas.

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Technorati Tags: blog comments, blogging, howto

How to Leave a Comment on a Blog

Leaving a comment on a blog goes beyond just saying, "Nice post." It's like being at a party, joining a group of people and being part of a conversation. Often times at the beginning you may just listen, but the more you feel comfortable you begin to interject your thoughts and ideas. You listen, you share, you listen, you share, it's the circle of conversation.

Here are just a few of my thoughts on how to leave a comment on a blog.

1. Begin by Reading the Other Comments First
Nothing can be more rewarding than reading what others have already added to the conversation. A good comment will build on what the author has written and can be a springboard to your comment. It also can help with not duplicating what someone has already said.

2. Leave Your Details
Leave your name, your email and web address if you have one. The purpose of leaving your information is not so someone can harass you, but so that the author of the blog knows who you are. It's also a great way for others to read what you've posted at your site. I can't count the people I've met and blogs I've discovered via comments on a blog.

3. Give Something to the Conversation
It's your turn now! Your going to write your own comment. Remember, this is your opportunity to add value to the article. Your insight, your experiences, maybe even your ideas, it's the core of your comment. This is not the time to promote yourself, but give something back. In giving I guarantee you'll receive value in return.

4. Show Appreciation
There's nothing wrong with showing appreciation to the author as you end your comment. I'm always grateful to those that have taken the time to write and share their knowledge, ideas and thoughts.

5. Follow the Conversation
Do not fall in the trap of leaving a comment and disappearing. Track the blog you commented on and add follow-up if the opportunity becomes available. I'm currently using Co-Comment, a Firefox extension to track comments. It's simple and a great way to keep all your comments in place.

Alright, let's go join the conversation. Feel free to leave your thoughts, tips and ideas on how you add to the conversation.

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Technorati Tags: blogging, how to comment on a blog, howto

Welcome to My New Readers

I want to say "Welcome" to all of my new readers. Thanks for being curious and following the links to one of Typepad's featured bloggers. The success of any blog, as well as this one, is when everyone becomes part of the conversation. As you become part of this blogging community, feel free to add comments, leave your tips and add to what's being said.

If you enjoy what you read tell others about this blog and if your a blogger I would be honored to be linked to from your blog. Once again Thanks for stopping by. How about a toast to new friends and new conversations.

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Technorati Tags: announcements

3 Sure-Fire Ways to Promote Your Blog

Blogging, Blogging, Blogging... It's everywhere and everybody that's anybody has one. The challenge isn't so much as premiering your blog, the challenge is how to promote your blog. The question always is the same, "How to I get people to read my blog?" Which for me the answer is always the same," it's not more information, it's conversations, yep conversations."

The most incredible opportunity is when you began to see your blog as a conversation piece rather than a soap box or a monologue. It's an opportunity for you to be in conversations you would never be involved with. Here are 3 Sure-Fire Ways to Promote Your Blog.

Live the Conversation
In other words, the best way to promote your blog is to blog about things that your passionate about. Not trends or the latest "thing", but areas which cause you to stay up late and get up early. With passion comes longevity, which means the longer your blog is around the greater the opportunity for you to be discovered. When you live it, stats isn't the thing what motivates you, it's passion.

Join the Conversation
The only way to be heard is first listen. In other words, subscribe to every blog that is similar to yours. Comment on a regular basis to other blogs. Email the author, link and promote their blog. By joining the conversation you are joining the blogging community. Remember that basic networking skills work in blogging just like everywhere else.

Expand the Conversation
Let everyone know about your blog. Include it in your email signature. Publish it on your business card. Make sure your blog has RSS feeds enabled. Use services such as Technorati, that will update their directory each time you post to your blog. Use social media applications such as Twitter and Jaiku to promote your blog posts that are readable to a large audience. If your web developer hasn't listed your blog with Google, make sure you do.

As Chris Brogan states, "Make it friendly." Make sure you include a photo and your blog email address. Remember, it's all about conversations.

I'm certain that if you blog what your passionate about, join the conversation, and implement a few of the tools mentioned above, your blog with become a place where conversations are made.

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Technorati Tags: blogging, howto, new media, social media, social networking