What comes first? The social networking or the egg?

And by ‘egg,’ I mean ‘blog.’

Beth Harte and Geoff Livingston recently wrote a great article about weeding out the ‘carpetbagger’ social media experts. In their list of 25 things to watch out for, I agreed wholeheartedly with 22 of them - and feel quite strongly about the three I disagree with.

The first point: ‘First recommendation is to blog’ is tackled below - the other two (blog ghostwriting and personal branding) are coming soon.

I can see why it might not always be the right first step for every single person or company. But, I have a hard time swallowing the notion that blogging first might be a misstep for most people - or that its suggestion would make the suggester a ‘carpetbagger.’ I started with my blog and then walked onto the social media scene, and my chosen order was highly beneficial for me, both personally and professionally. Here’s why:

1. Slow, steady, safe pace. My blog gave me a quiet place to watch my ideas develop and be instantly published. At first, no one was even looking, then readers started to show up, then their comments arrived. I had time to find my voice and learn how to respond to people in this medium. If you haven’t noticed, social media happens fast - especially on Twitter - and jumping into the networking madness before I really knew myself online (or how ‘online’ worked) was not the best choice for me.

2. Reason to interact. When you first start reaching out on social networks, sharing your blog content is a great way to introduce yourself (and I don’t mean in a pushy, salesy way) - but it does give you something to say. Having written your posts, you’ve obviously formulated your own opinions on topics that you will now feel confident discussing. Also, as a blogger, you have a healthy dose of appreciation for the other bloggers out there and it’s something you have in common (writing, tech, design, functionality, etc.) to connect about.

3. Portfolio, calling card, resume. Your blog is all of these things - so when people check out your Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, (etc.) page or bio, they have a clickable link that immediately provides an in-depth look into who you are and what you do. When I go to someone’s Twitter bio, for example, and there is no site/blog listed, I have virtually nowhere to go - no way to connect, forge a relationship or network. In this scenario, there is only a small amount of information available that tells me what this person can do for me and what I can do for them. Personally, when I network, I want all of my talents and skills visible to maximize my connection possibilities.

4. Blogs, by definition, expand our ability to be found online. My blog is part of my social networking world. Before I even set foot onto a social networking site, I had built a community around my blog. Then, my blog and my social networking sites blended, merged and grew together - and they continue to do so. In fact, both my blog and my social networks feed each other via organic searches, as well as word of mouth. (people find my blog and then come to follow me on Twitter and vice versa).

A blog is a brilliant way to establish an online presence by letting the world know all about you and your thoughts on everything connected to your industry and area of expertise.

5. Blog as listening tool. I don’t care what your business is - you have to listen to clients, customers, colleagues, peers, the world to succeed. Otherwise you won’t know what they want, why they want it or how you can give it to them. Blogs are a great listening tool because you can ask questions, listen to comments and watch your stat diagnostics (what people are searching for and reading). Of course, social media is a great listening tool as well (would never suggest otherwise).

6. Freedom and ownership. With so many rules and guidelines, blogs allow you to publish, to own, to think your thoughts and explore without being at the whim of a publisher. Your own real estate is always a great place to start…didn’t Madonna start off by singing and dancing around the house in her underwear? Certainly not on the world stage.

And, at the end of the day, I love blogs because they allow for so many different opinions - no one has to be right or wrong, but the arguments can and should be heard and discussed.

What did you do first? Blog or social networking?

Do you feel strongly that one or the other should happen first?

Trees that make a difference and change the way we remember

Trees Instead, founded and run by Daniel Diaz (Civil Engineer) & Pablo G. Martinez (business grad), is a fantastic business that’s doing good in the world, one tree at a time, by planting trees as memorials, honorariums and gifts. I’m continually impressed by their work and generosity. And, since I found them on twitter, I became even more intrigued by the web and social media slant of their business - so I asked for an interview, and of course, they obliged. Here ’tis.

Writing Roads: How did you get started? What was your inspiration, motivation, raison d’etre?

Trees Instead: In 2001, a dear friend of ours passed away after a long battle with cancer. At his funeral, the family made the request to donate money to the American cancer society in lieu of Flowers. Instead, we decided to make a picture slide of all the good times we had with him. We noticed that our best memory was a camping trip we all did to a national park while in college. We called the park and had a tree planted there in his memory; we then made a certificate and give it to his Mother…she loved it. Then the funeral director who was present at that time asked us if we could do one for another family…the rest is HISTORY.

We noticed that the available services for memorial tree planting were very impersonal, so we did some research and made our business plan with the mission to have a service that would be elegant, original and sustainable. We put our savings in and 100,000+ trees later - here we are! We now plant trees in all 50 states, Canada, The Amazon & Israel.

Writing Roads: How do you use social media for your business? How do you use your blog? (I know blogs are part of soc med, but I just wanted to make sure you talked about both…)

Trees Instead: We are in the business of making green trendy & thoughtful, to position our service/product as a unique experience for both sender & receiver. We’ve found that social media is the best way to let people know about us. There are many tree planting companies, and they are in it for many reasons we are - the “end result of the service,” the satisfaction of going green & doing it in an elegant & original way. Blogs & social media engines like Facebook & Twitter allow us to get in touch with the people on a one by one basis and have a long term relationship that will end up with us positioning our service in their minds.

Writing Roads: Any thoughts on the importance of content to your business? (The writing in particular…)

Trees Instead: Well there is an ongoing debate about global warming and the need for sustainable living. We like to stay out of the debate. The extremists & alarmists about global warming are not doing any good for their own cause and those who think nothing is wrong are in lala land.  A business like ours enjoys the balance of doing good actions for the environment while facing one absolute truth: “Sustainable living is good for the wallet, the earth & future generations…. No matter what.”

Writing Roads: Do you have an opinion on the difference (benefits, hardships) of running a nonprofit web business as opposed to a for profit biz?

Trees Instead: We’re a not-for-profit because we like the freedom of decision we have with an LLC - there’s little bureaucracy. Nevertheless, we use our income not only to plant trees, but to find ways to make sustainable reforestation projects in developing countries. I admire organizations like the Arbor Day Foundation or American Forests, but I don’t want the government, a board, nor powerful activists telling us how to act, what to believe ad how to live our dream. We do miss the grants and goodies available to non-profits, yet we don’t want to be huge, just big enough to matter.

Writing Roads: Anything I missed that you want to say?

Trees Instead: Well, we really appreciate your generosity. Also, we like to support any group or cause that makes sense - our only enemies are ignorance & narrow minded people. Daniel is on the liberal side of things and Pablo is the Conservative, yet, we don’t let media or agendas dictate common sense.

Keep up the good work, Daniel and Pablo - knowing people like you exist in the world helps me sleep better at night…Thanks!!!

blog redesign: an advertising deal

Yes, you are still at the Writing Roads Blog, aka. Blogging Roads!

Last night my dear designer, Leslie Tane, surprised me by expanding my blog into three columns with a new theme called Amazing Grace, a lightweight, super-optimized WordPress theme packed with features (SEO, Adsense & Widget Ready) created by Vladimir Prelovac. I was thrilled as I’ve been itching for some more elbow room!

One impetus for this space-making was that I’ve been approached by several vendors looking to advertise. As many of you know, I’ve been on the fence about the advertising thing…or, at least, I was. Now, I’ve definitively hopped over to the advertising side.

Here’s why:

1. As long as I feel good about the vendors, why shouldn’t I provide them the opportunity to promote themselves.
2. I’m not forcing my readers to read the ads or click on them. This is optional and you won’t have to wade through them in order to get to the posts.
3. Okay, most people don’t say this out loud, but I’m going to: I work really hard on this blog. Why shouldn’t I receive support? There is no reason! I deserve it. You deserve it. We all deserve it!

A Deal for My Peeps

For the first two weeks (starting…NOW), I’m offering a deal on advertising. If you are connected to me on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn, or if you’re a friend of mine on Twitter Moms or Mom Bloggers Club, you will get 20% for one year.

125 x 125 pixel ad

• standard rates = $30/month or $324/year (10% yearlong discount)
• special discount price = $24/month or $288/year

125 x 250 pixel ad

• standard rates = $45/month or $486/year (10% year-long discount)
• special discount price = $36/month or $432/year

If you’re interested, please email me directly: julie (at) writingroads (dot) com. Payments will be made via paypal. Also, if you want to advertise, but don’t have your ad widget, I’ve got some great designers lined up that can help you with this, just let me know. Looking forward to promoting your business!

and that’s what it’s all about: blogs, comments, tweets and conversations

So…I’ve been a bit political lately (just a weeeeeee bit). And it’s brought me mad traffic and some nice commenting to boot. It’s fairly phenomenal that people who have spent days, months, years talking about other things are now talking, debating, writing, shouting about our political system, oh, and our futures, with such vigor. Think we’re hungry for change? There is a sense that we, the people, can actually make a difference - and that we have no choice but to try.

People are actually motivated to participate at a higher level and the internet is the perfect place to do it; it’s fast and it’s fluid - it’s a connector of people and ideas. We feel like we’re actually being heard - especially when people answer back - through comments, comment replies, Facebook, Twitter, etc…

On this blog, of the many great things that have happened as a result of the brouhaha, my favorite has been the commenting. When people are so moved (positively or negatively) by something they read that they just have to chime in, it’s, well, what we’re here for. I’ve learned much from listening to my readers - you are all so darn smart.

And as always, I’ve commented back because I don’t think that your efforts should go unanswered. I don’t want to be a one-sided blogger. Believe it or not, I’m here for the conversation. So, thank you to all that have commented - keep it coming.

As for Twitter, I’ve gotten new followers and watched older Twitter ‘relationships’ burst (in both directions)…but the conversations, the back and forth, are alive and well.

Another perk of the comments and the tweets? URLs. Everytime you comment or follow, you show me your website, which I then peruse with unfettered abandon…and I’ve found some great blogs to introduce you to:

1. The Cleaner Plate Club. Hormones in milk. Pesticides on produce. Feces on meat. Say what? I’m not a foodie, I’m rarely a cook, and I don’t have the time for slow food. Truth is, all I’m looking for is a decent meal - preferably one that my kids will eat, as well. So I begin my quest for a cleaner plate….Terrific writing, fab topic - check Ali out.

2. Punctuality Rules. A must for us writers who are more content than grammar (especially in these heated times!) Deb dishes the dirt on how to write, right, rite the rite, right, write way.

3. Green Your Decor. Jennae’s all about green interior design and doing good for the old planet. Also, she’s using the Thesis wordpress theme very, very well!

Hmmm…just noticed these are all women’s blogs. And I’m a woman…so that must mean that I will ignore all of Sarah Palin’s political ideals and just vote for her! Aw, geez, did I have to go there? Why yes, I did.

bridging the web 2.0 gap: when social networking means different things to different people

As you all know, I enjoy me some online social networking. I like my Facebook, my Twitter, my LinkedIn in particular. But, lately, I’m noticing this clash of the generations (or sensibilities, perhaps?).

Basically, people are using these networks for one of three reasons:

1.  business activities

2. personal activities

3. a mixture of the two

But what happens when these groups bump into each other?

Sometimes it’s okay. For instance,  I do love catching up with my high school friends on Facebook, and when I market my business and my blog there, they’re potential clients…it is a network, you know. And at least they all have jobs(ish) and understand that I’m making a living.

But then, my nieces friend me and they’re 13 and they put up ridiculous pictures of me from family gatherings. And my sister-in-law writes ’stuff’ on my wall that I don’t want anyone else to see because she’s 23 and using Facebook in its original configuration - as an online yearbook of sorts for the college set.

None of this is a huge deal - I can delete and manage my page…but I find it fascinating to watch as Facebook grows and builds into something more professional and business networky than it once was. And, I’m enthralled by the friend numbers that the younger folk have - think of the network at their fingertips when they grow up and have something really important to share. Hmmm, guess I shouldn’t delete them as friends, they’re holding some prime real estate…oh, and I love them, they’re family after all.

are social networking sites redundant or do you need to belong to more than one?

You should know by now that, with me, nothing is black and white. So, here’s my answer.

Occasionally, there is some redundancy when you have the same certain people in more than one of your networks, but that is more the exception than the rule - not to mention that those folks are usually die-hard online networkers, and they tend to really ‘get’ what you are doing with your broadcasts. And, if they’re following you in all of those places, they really like you and will just be happy to hear from you.

So, on this question, I lean heavily towards the ‘you need to belong to many social networking sites’ side. Simply because there are a gazillion people online and they choose to belong to different social networks because each network presents a specific personality, attitude and interaction capability - oh, and that’s where their friends play. As a result, when you decide to belong to a variety of networks, you are reaching a more diverse audience. You are reaching the Twitter people, the Facebook people, the LinkedIn people, the Tagged people, the Squidoo people, the de.licio.us people - and you are reaching them where they are.

To participate on multiple networks is to build, activate and inspire multiple audiences and to foster a bevy of solid relationships. My raison d’etre exactly.

is web 2.0 a pyramid scheme? and introducing my assistant

Is Web 2.0 a Pyramid Scheme?

I had a very interesting meeting with a talented Vineyard artist this week. And I was explaining life on the web and the concept of broadcasting to your network (Twitter, Facebook, other blogs, your blog) and how your network will tell their networks and on and on - viral, word of mouth, relationship marketing. He looked right at me and said, ‘So it’s kind of like a pyramid scheme.’ I nearly fell off my chair.

I’ve been thinking about this ever since - rather obsessively and a bit defensively. I mean, it isn’t anything like a pyramid scheme. But there are some parallels. Right? For instance, if I imagine myself at the top of a, um, triangle, I reach out to my 5 networks below, then each of them reach out to their 5 networks, then each of them reach out to their 5 networks…it broadens as it goes. I see his point.

But the Web 2.0 marketing I do isn’t sleazy. Oops, did I just say that out loud? Me and my big mouth. But the way some people do it is sleazy - which may, in the end, lend itself to being scene as a pyramid scheme. Interesting, very interesting. Your thoughts?

And, now, after millions, hundreds, quite a few requests, I’m pleased to introduce…

My dog assistant. His name is Silas, he’s an American Field Lab, he’s 5 1/2 years old, he acts like he’s 5 1/2 months old. He believes truly and firmly that he is a lap dog…and that he rules the universe. He is the funniest dog I’ve ever met. And he insisted that I let him wear the Super Silas cape. His nickname is Merpikulis, though his best friend - my 2 year-old daughter, Sophie - calls him Siley and Merpikey.

He thinks he is a guru which explains why he’s on a yoga mat in this picture. I am delighted that he nearly knocks me over in a valiant and selfish way every morning in order to get past me, and then be first to get to the office. I love it when he lays his head on my feet and sleeps while I work.

His paws smell like Fritos and his head smells like an oatmeal cookie. His ears were put on crooked, so one lays back a bit, while the other has a tighter fold. His nose is pink - and my mom thinks that it isn’t sewn down all the way around. He has an over active tongue that earned him yet another nickname - Licky McSmooch.

He has an older canine sister named Baloula who is 1/2 golden, 1/2 lab and has 15 lbs on him. And he will go to any length to knock her out of the way if she is getting attention from any human. He also cleans her ears, eyes and face daily, gently and meticulously.

One of his super powers is that he can tiptoe. I kid you not that if he wants to get somewhere without us knowing (like upstairs when the vet arrives at our house - yes, we have a home visiting vet and it ROCKS), he can tiptoe without letting his nails touch the floor, without making a sound. It is amazing.

He is perfect.

web 2.0: the new dating game?

So, I’m guiding one of my clients down the road of Web 2.0 - and she turns to me and says, ‘This feels like dating 101.” And it’s true…but more specifically, I think, like dating 101 for a seasoned & divorced person.

Why? Because we already know how to do the basics - we can read & write, we can do the elevator speech, we can network, we can self-promote, we can buy, sell & trade. But the scenery has changed, so we have to learn how to apply all that we know to this new venue. Think of it this way, she worked it just fine at the drive-in and now I’m taking her to a rave.

So, the important things to remember are these:

• You’ve still got the moves.
• Yes, you have to learn a new language with words like Squidoo, post, Wordpress, comments, Google, Digg, blog and de.licio.us.
• Yes, you have to type it all in.
• No, no one cares what you’re wearing because they can’t see you…though a good picture will help.
• Still, now you have to put all of that fashion sense and primping into your blog & site design.
• Networking is networking (dating is dating), sometimes you have be forward and make the first move, other times you’ll play hard to get - you’ll know which is which and when is when.
• People are frequently attracted to ‘the someone’ that everyone else likes - so highlight your client list, your achievements, your traffic, your subscribers and how many people friended you on Facebook and follow you on Twitter, etc.

Total aside (though tangently related to the post above): Speaking of dating and new technology, I’ve been wanting to bring this up for awhile now: when I was in junior high, we used to call the boys that we had crushes on and hang up after they answered. I’ve got to know, what are girls doing these days? You can’t do that now…everyone has caller ID. My best guess is that they visit their crush’s MySpace page where they have more anonymity…ooh, and pictures. Okay, I guess there may be life after caller-ID…

i got in trouble on facebook

For those of you who know me well, you will not be surprised that I got in trouble when I was growing up - a lot. And, one of my favorite places to get in trouble? Camp. I went to an all girls camp in northern Minnesota called Kamaji. These were the best 9 summers of my life - from camper to counselor to head of the swim program. Of course, the best part of camp was my crime ring, possey, group of best friends. A solid group of 7 of us came every summer for 2 months and shared a cabin and our lives.

For every second of hilarity, however, there were at least 2 seconds of trouble. It got to this point: when the my cabin counselors found out they had me as their camper, they sometimes cried. I was outspoken, stubborn, hilarious (according to me) - a real shit disturber, if you will. But, I was just having fun. One time, we were being so loud in the dining hall, that the camp director took our forks away. I never understood that punishment, but at the time it seemed pretty hysterical serious. When we were being loud during ‘rest period’ my counselors wouldn’t even come in to see what was going on, they’d just yell, ‘Fish (my nickname), be QUIET’…

And now, some exorbitant number of years later, Facebook has reconnected me with my camp buddies.

A few days ago, one of the them put up some horribly embarrassing 80’s photos (see exhibit A above) and we started bantering back and forth about the whole thing. We’re now very sophisticated and 30-something and living on both coasts - so it got, let’s just say, a little spicey (never mean or nasty or disrespectful ever, just spicey).

Well, my friend, Lisa, tagged Camp Kamaji in the photos…and, if you know Facebook, then you know that everyone who gets tagged gets alerted to new picture comments. Within moments, Camp wrote and asked Lisa to take some of the remarks down (the spicey ones) - of course, their page is for their business so it is available for all to see.

So, it’s summer, camp is in full swing and I’m still getting in trouble. You betcha’.

But this story teaches a good lesson about how to behave on the internet:

• Be careful who you include, tag, cc, bcc, etc.
• Control the privacy settings on all of your sites.
• Think before you type, publish, send.
• Remember that things live forever in cached pages.

…and hold on to your forks.

$10 for the first person to guess which one is me in the photo up above. (Mom, you can’t play).

when are online social networks NOT time-suckers?

When you use them strategically for your business. Simply put, we participate in online social networks to connect to others. For your company or work, this connection parlays into new clients, new ideas, new business. So, how do you do it? How do you use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn…and so many more, as a real marketing tool and not as a time-sucker?

1. Define time-sucking. Realize that to use these networks effectively, you have to spend some time on them. At the beginning you need to set up and personalize your account, connect to people and then continually communicate with them. This time spent is markedly different than time spent playing Scrabulous, tweeting about your lunch, etc. Though I’m sure you deserve a little bit of this mind-numbing, fun time every day as well. (no judgement)

2. Set up your profile to showcase your business. When people friend you or link to you or view your profile, make sure they can see who you are and what you do. If you can syndicate your blog on your profile, do it; if you can add images, do it. If you can add links, do it. And, show us your pretty face, do it.

3. Syndicate your work. Blogs fit in nicely here. When you put up a post, tell your network about it and give them the easy link. Blogs are an instant introduction to your personality and your expertise. If a project you just worked on went live, tell us about that too…showcase yourself. And, won’t your clients be thrilled.

4.  Broadcast events, success, interesting news. Literally shout it out from the rooftops, you never know when someone will be looking for exactly what you’ve got.

5. Realize the breadth of your network. It’s not just the people you are linked to. It’s also the people they are linked to and beyond. Be interesting and use the words that are key to your business, company, industry…these things are searchable, you know, if you want them to be. They can also be viral. If you broadcast something that your network thinks others will find interesting, they will share it.

6. Participate. If I’ve said it once…Seriously, why should anyone listen to you, visit your link or syndicate your info if you aren’t doing the same. Your participation demonstrates to others that there is something in it for them as well. Don’t make it all about you….even if it is.

7. Network with your network. When it comes right down to it, this is good, old-fashioned networking. Talk to people, find out about them, see where your common interests are…suggest ways to move forward.

Some days will be more beneficial than others…that’s life. But on those really good days - the days when you make an incredible connection or strike a golden deal, any time-suckage will have been worth it….and so will the good karma you sent to a friend on Facebook.