Seth Godin suggests good bloggers create tribes.

I think that is why I haven’t been satisfied with this blog the last 2-3 years.  It has not consistently been a way-worthy read and has not created a tribe.

Realizing this, I have a few options:

1. Make no major change of course.  I could keep writing mediocre pieces with a few gems (subjectively speaking) here and there.

2. Scrap it all.  I could consider my four years of blogging (3 1/2 years here) as a fun learning experience, but one which I now leave behind.  Pull the plug, let it die.

3. Grit my teeth and try harder.  I could give all kinds of excuses as to why I haven’t put more time, effort or thought into this blog.  I just don’t see any benefit to that.  Perhaps I should just get a grip and try harder.

4. Carry it forward.  I could look at what I’ve learned from this experience and view this period as a natural progression in the cycle.  Perhaps this horse has led me to a stream it is not willing or able to cross.  Using the same analogy, the best thing may be to dismount – cross the stream – and see if there’s a ride on the other side.

I have a writing project I’m working on currently.  I often wonder if I could finish it and make it better if I didn’t try to come up with ideas for this blog.  The concept I’m writing is so intriguing to me that I may even start a separate blog based on that idea.

No decisions yet, but I thought I’d give you some insight into why this blog is lingering.

I’ve known about this for a while and yet I’ve only watched one presentation video.

If these speakers were making appearances here in Tulsa, I’d be paying to go see them. Yet, I find it hard to give up the time and effort to watch them for free online.

Why is that? It’s the same info.

But it’s a different forum.

Part of the appeal in attending a live presentation is knowing you will be surrounded by like-minded individuals. There’s a collective sense of belonging. There’s also the opportunity to connect with other attendees and expand the knowledge gained from the speaker. To tap into the wisdom of crowds.

MIT’s online forum doesn’t facilitate that. Actually, I’ve never seen an online forum that does this as well as a live, personal event.

Online
It may never equal the live presentation, but what if viewers could comment on these vidoes? Rank them? Rate them? What if there was a schedule of weekly chat sessions based on particular videos? How about a subscription-based email list specific to those who have watched specific presentations? Notify me by email when a similar presentation is uploaded and available.
Live
What if live presentations used the pre-registration process as an opportunity to connect attendees with similar interests? Then you give them the ability to contact each other and create a post-presentation discussion group for bloggers, educators, students, managers or small business owners… etc.

I think there’s incredible, untapped value here… and it doesn’t just apply to presentations either.

Just got out of Kem Meyer’s session Got Blog?

It was a great session. Yes, some of the material was basic, but that’s what the session description stated. Still, she shared some great advice to bloggers – novice and veteran alike. Also, I met some other bloggers and we shared ideas with each other.

Another benefit was discovering Kem and her blog. With all of our shared interests, I was surprised we hadn’t crossed paths before. Goes to show sometimes analog still trumps digital.
It has been a great experience here at Willow. I haven’t enjoyed everything, but everything isn’t about me. I’ll probably begin unpacking some of the lessons learned from people like Dewitt Jones, Nancy Beach, Dan Kimball and Donald Miller later.

It’s fascinating stuff and dovetails so tightly with what is occurring in marketing today concerning authenticity, creativity, stories and relevance.

More to come.

This will be my third time to attend one of their Arts Conferences.  It’s always refreshing and energizing.  I can’t wait to come back with stories about my heart and mind were opened to something bigger than I anticipated.

Faith and art have always been central to my identity.  I have long considered myself both a Christian and an artist.  So, this conference strikes the sweet spot.

I’m not sure what my time and Internet connection situation will be next Friday.  If I have the opportunity to blog from Chicago, I will.

I’m sitting in front of my computer with several ideas to blog.

Honestly, I don’t want to.

Not because I don’t like blogging.

Not because I don’t like writing.

Mostly because they’re good ideas.

Not great ideas.

Not world-changing ideas.

It’s the kind of stuff you’ll read, possibly enjoy, but in the end… you’ll go back to sipping your coffee and checking your email.

What a waste!

(of my time and yours)

CRAP! [sudden realization of how long I've been writing without a true impact]

I used to write because I felt inspired.  My first blog was about spirituality, inspiration, and musings.

Then I began blogging about business and marketing ideas that were bouncing around in my head.  I needed a place for them to crystalize.

Now, I think I blog because it’s Friday.

It’s Friday and I promised my readers I would update on Fridays.

Did you hear that sound?

That was the sound of passion getting sucked right outta me.

I’m not complaining.

Things are good.

I’m not depressed… at all.

In fact, I feel more lucid and excited than usual.

I simply WANT IT BACK!!!!!

So forget Fridays.

If I get inspired on Monday, I’m going to post it.

I think my passion has a short shelf life.  No preservatives added.  Gotta use it now or it spoils.

If I’m not inspired on Friday, I’m not going to try to drum something up.

I love writing.  I love blogging.  I love marketing and business ideas.  Heck, I love ideas!  And I love participating in a community of other idea-lovers.

Well, now that I’ve let that tiger out of the cage, let’s see what happens.

Overhearing this, their young son decided he wanted another glass. Having heard his parents’ exchange, he now knew what to ask for. “Can I have some more steve too?” Of course we erupted into laughter as we saw his child-like logic make an unusual connection. We now call egg-nog “steve” occasionally.

I’m fortunate in life to have a wonderful younger brother by birth, Nick. I was the artist, he was the athlete. But we always seemed to have a great time together (and still do). Nick always wanted a younger brother, so I told him he could order one from the Sears catalog. But that’s another story.

I never had a big brother, but if I considered anyone a big brother – it is Steve. He has advised me on decisions affecting my career, my family, and my spiritual path. Even though his career moved him to Texas several years ago, I still consider him an invaluable mentor.

Now Steve is offering his sage advise to many others. He has been blogging for a while and comments here from time to time. I would encourage you to check out his Waypoint blog. You’ll find good advice as you make decisions on your career, your family, and your spiritual path.

Go get some “more Steve.”

Is there any value in “brochure” type web sites?

Not much, I think. Here’s why:

My philosophy is that “Mom and Pops” are better served by following a permission marketing approach with websites.

1. How can I create content people will COME BACK to read?

time-sensitive, changes often, relevant, anticipated

2. If I want to do #1, how do I manage it?

content management system, allocate employee time

3. If I’m creating content, how can I best leverage it?

blog, email newsletter, printed newsletter, op-ed piece

4. Can I send email coupons that customers can abuse without it hurting me?

(because they will take advantage)

5. Can I create offers they will relay to their friends?

forward to a friend link, create value

They’re so easy to overcome, yet so often overlooked. In my opinion, at least six of these mistakes are easily fixed with a good blog or simply good content management software.

1. Bad Search
2. PDF Files for Online Reading
3. Not Changing the Color of Visited Links
4. Non-Scannable Text
5. Fixed Font Size
6. Page Titles With Low Search Engine Visibility
7. Anything That Looks Like an Advertisement
8. Violating Design Conventions
9. Opening New Browser Windows
10. Not Answering Users’ Questions

Concerning #1 and #6, here’s an example from my personal experience. Dentyne-isms are the cute “parables” on the back of Dentyne gum packages. Type “dentyne-isms” into a Google search. The top two links are to this blog. Dentyne’s website doesn’t even show up in the search results.

Apparently people really like these dentyne-isms. Right now, the post that comes up in the search results has over 50 comments. It’s one of the top search terms bringing people to my blog.

Read the rest of Jakob’s Top 10 Web Design Mistakes. His details are worth the few minutes of reading.

Penelope has some great advice for bloggers and non-bloggers alike.