Tag Archives: Larry Brauner

Blogging

How To Choose a Blog to Read

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More than 70% of Web users agree that personal recommendations influence their purchases and selections.

So what better way to find great blogs to read than to LISTEN TO people whom you’ve grown to trust?

Five bloggers who inspire me on my educational journey down Social Media Revolutionary Road

SETH GODIN

Seth Godin is a business genius, who coined the term “permission marketing” [wikipedia entry] whose books have sold millions.

I like reading his daily witticisms because they are typically short, anecdotal, and clearly focused to make one clear point — from a common sense perspective that may too often be overlooked.

This morning I caught up on a few of his recent posts:

ADAM SINGER

Adam Singer is my favorite blogger. He’s a Gen-Y-er with a huge amount of experience in online media/marketing strategizing, and he is very creative and hip. Some of his posts I go back to over and over, for example:

and I particularly like What If

In his most recent post, Tangible Media is Becoming Obsolete, Adam gives nine reasons why digital is better — from ease of use to the building of community.

SUZANNE VARA

Suzanne runs a small business marketing agency from her new home in Las Vegas, and I discovered her blog from a LinkedIn group. Her audience is very similar to mine, i.e., people who are relatively new to marketig online. Her articles are filled with easy-to-read tips on how to get the most out of online opportunities. Here are some of my favorite posts:

Today she discusses the new news about Google Search, and how “nonspammers” can benefit.

LARRY BRAUNER

This is Larry’s birthday week, and to celebrate he has created an amazing opportunity for bloggers across the globe to share their sites on his Facebook Fan Page.

Larry’s blog covers a broad range of social networking topics, but he is most concerned with building “Best Practices” for collaboration and mutual benefits. He is knowledgeable on a diverse array of strategies and tools, especially when it comes to building a successful blog.

Check out Larry’s article on social media basics for 2010.

ZAHID LILANI

Disclosure: Zahid was one of my star students at San Francisco State, and I can safely say that I have learned at least as much from him as he learned from me. Zahid has guest posted for me, discussing Our Facebook Future.

He loves his Iphone, and loves writing about it, so you can find the latest smartphone information — as it is announced — on his blog. Today he talks about Iphone’s responsive touch screen.

“Tomorrow” [sometime in the near future] he and I will be discussing all the ways that Baby Boomers [like me] will want and need SmartPhones in our lives.

Of course, these five are not the ONLY bloggers I read, but all five are great to check out for “Getting Started”

I purposely left off some really popular people/blogs so that my readers can add their 2 cents, so “have at it.”

🙂

Sharisax Is Out There

Why Social Media is Like a Day At The Beach

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Two months ago I was in a yoga class where I sensed a whole host of similarities with my other passion — social media; hence, Top Ten Reasons Why I Love Yoga and Social Media.

Today, ten days into my Puerto Vallarta vacation, I can see how Social Media is, indeed, so much like a Day at the Beach.

Conversations with new friends

Without a doubt, the Number One reason that comes to mind is the conversations with people outside my day-to-day routine. In fact, when people ask what I like most about my annual Mexican vacation, it is exactly that: Meeting so many new interesting people to share ideas and experiences with.

Listening to their stories

Of course, Listening is the First Rule to success in Business and every kind of relationship. So many times when we meet new people, we think the way to make a great impression is to “pontificate” about our own lives. But if you think about it, how much will YOU learn just talking about yourself? Plus, my experience is that people love those who really listen attentively. Way back when I started this blog early in 2009, I shared some of my business communication tips on How to Listen better.

Learning about the local activities and customs

Whether we are visting a place for the first time, returning after a long absence, or simply coming back to a favorite location, there are always new things to find out about:

  • How to get around
  • Where are the best deals
  • What’s new and different
  • What’s traditional and not-to-be-missed

Finding people to do things with

What’s better than meeting new friends and trying out the restaurant that everyone is talking about? It’s the SHARING that makes every experience richer and more powerful. I can’t help but be reminded of a great sharing opportunity for everyone with a blog — whether you are on the beach to day or, most likely, not. My fellow Baby Boomer social media evangelist Larry Brauner is inviting everyone with a blog to post it to his fan page: While you all start collaborating with Larry and our friends online tonight, I’ll be joining a bunch of friends — new and old — at the Barcelona tappas restaurant in PV.

Enjoying life

Personally, I’m enjoying my experiences learning everything I can about all of our marvelous ways to connect, but since I’m still on vacation in Mexico [and I don’t want to get sand in my computer], it’s Off To The Beach!

BUENOS DIAS, ALL!

Sharisax Is Out There

Three “F’s” to Achieve Your 2010 Goals

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Since I subscribe to the philosophy of “Intention,” my 2010 Predictions Article will be geared to Setting Some Goals and Making Them Happen. Here are three ways to do just that:

  • Follow a Role Model, who’s also a Friend

  • Find a Buddy — or Seven

  • Figure out Answers to the list of Questions below

1) My friend Sandy is a great role model

2009 Accomplishments:
Lost 39 pounds between Feb 25 and Dec 25. Have maintained within 3 pounds of goal weight for the last 21 days straight.

Decided to try Zumba and loved it!

Decided to try Yoga and loved it!

Provided excellent office support to boss.

2010 Goals:

Increase my arm strength.

Keep my weight under the decade mark.

Let my nails grow enough and be healthy enough that I can treat myself to a manicure.

And continue providing the kind of administrative support that makes going to work fun and productive for the entire staff.

[You go Girl!]

2) Collaborate with Network Connections – both online and off

  • Last night was just one of many examples: I went to a holiday party and met three fellow [gal-fellow] Baby Boomers whom I will be meeting with in the next few weeks to see how we can use our own personal strengths to help one another.

  • That particular holiday party was the result of my membership in one of the three networking groups I have joined this year. No list about Succeeding in Anything is complete without continuous Networking. Here’s a previous article with suggestions on getting the  most out of networking.

3) Here are questions we need to be asking ourselves:

A – What do I want to finish?

B – What do I want to change?

C – What do I want to refine?

D – What do I want to maintain?

E – What do I want to stop doing?

F – What do I want to go back to?

G – What can I throw away?

H – What have I learned in 2009 that will empower me in 2010?

I – What do I NEED to do?

What are your answers? What will 2010 look like for you? What’s your intention?

Because I know the power of conversation, I’m suggesting that readers add their responses to any of the questions above. I’ll be doing just that. And, then, we can all collaborate on each other’s success in 2010 and beyond.

[FURTHER READING: Here are website entrepreneur James Hartje’s answers to the nine questions]