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Some Things Shouldn’t be Automated: Authors Engaged Online Revisit

December 12, 2011 in Connecting, Publishing, Tools, Twitter with 0 Comments

For a long  time I have wondered how I could better automate a twitter list (Authors-Engaged-Online) I created out of one of my most popular blog posts: Chatting with Hemingway in your study .  This post explains why I created the list. A while back I created a paper.lithat pulled from that list and also sent out a message promoting the top story from that list (I am still not sure how it picked a top story).  Some people love it and I am glad it added value to your day.  Some people hated it.I realized something when I sat down today to dig into some ideas of how to better automate what my favorite authors say .  The number of Authors that actually do engage with their readers on twitter or any place for that matter is very small.  It really is a great resource.  Why then should it be automated?  If it is as valuable as I think it is then I should be the one picking the top story posted from that list.  I should be the first one who drinks from the well.

Some things just should not be automated.  So here is what I plan to do.  I will be pulling something everyday from that list (it may include something I found from them on Google Plus, their blog, Facebook or any other site they frequent, (or even their books!).  It will supplement instead of replace one of my regular blog slots on each day.  I will try to write a short summary of why what they posted is being highlighted.

So there you have it.  Instead of automating the list I have moved it up into something I touch everyday.  Why? Because I think it is that valuable!  I think you will too.

Taking a break

November 22, 2011 in Connecting, Publishing, Social Networking with 11 Comments

It has been nearly a month since my last post.  I took a deliberate break for a few reasons.

Some big transitions are in the works.

My wife started her new career as a special education teacher.  You can read her blog where she writes not only about special ed but all about overcoming life’s obstacles.  We are moving to be closer to our work as well and the one thing that has really required me to walk away from the blog most is my team at Soma Games is launching a new game calles Wind Up Robots.

For a couple of days I struggled with not posting.  A year ago after reading Gary Vaynerchuk‘s Crush It I decided to make the goal of posting consistently for a year.  Then after a year I would decide if this blog was something I wanted to continue.  October was the anniversary of that goal and I am even more passionate about this blog than I was a year ago.  I have long list of posts I still want to write.

The last reason I took a break was I was feeling a bit burned out. I needed to step back and reassess my own communication.  In my last post I wrote that I was planning to do an audit.  Here is what I found.  Like before I realized that I needed to rengage with those in my inner circle.  They are the ones I turn to most for many reasons. Because of busyness and the general blessings of an ever widening tribe, I had begun to lose connection with the core people in my life.

In order to reconnect I got out my tool box and found some ways to make sure I know what that inner circle is doing.  I started reading their blogs again.  I kept up on their social media updates before I read anything else.  I will post in detail how I did that but the main thing I continually learn is that to grow and sustain a community both online and in the real world, we need to invest, engage and participate.

Next week I will begin regular posting.  Have a great Thanksgiving.

Choose Wisely Mr. Cameron

August 12, 2011 in Connecting, General, Publishing, Social Networking, Tools, Twitter with 8 Comments

Yesterday Britain’s Prime Minister announced that he has asked security forces to consider a way to limit the public’s use of social media sites as a way to curb or prevent rioting, looting and other thuggery. As soon as I heard this news I was at first shocked that a member country of the free world would even consider such a move. Yes, communication tools have been used to spawn horrible acts in the past, probably the worst in current history was the use of the media, both print and radio, to spread the Hutu’s message of ethnic cleansing across Rwanda in 1994.
Today with connectedness having become far reaching with tools like Twitter, Facebook and now Google Plus, we do have a greater responsibility in measuring the impact of our words and messages. But to go as far as limiting communication, in my opinion, turns what is a small event compared to genocide into a mark on the freedoms of the British people that will not be easily forgotten. Worse yet I think it shows a lack of understanding what social media really offers. For decades the media has been carefully controlled and even scripted by politicians and governments to execute policy-driven messages. The White house and Downing Street has for decades been very careful to share and suggest what images they wish the media to use and what sound bytes or speeches they wish to be publicized. The journalists that adhere to this policy are the ones given special access or first knowledge of breaking news. The ones that violate it quickly learn to adjust. (read more on how policy is shaped and controlled through the media. This article was written in 2005 and does not include the greater changes since the growth of social media). With new media though, there is no control over what is said. Large media companies no longer have the podium they used to have over blogs, celebrities and others that have risen in popularity. Events are reported as they happen through open channels of communication.

Before Mr. Cameron decides to give social media a heavy hand to curb thuggery, I hope he considers the true power he holds. Just as King George VI used the radio to calm his realm and prepare them for the battle that was before the nation, Prime Minister Cameron can choose to use the powerful reach given him just as it is given to every citizen he is considering silencing. I hope he chooses wisely.

You have time to read

July 29, 2011 in General, Publishing, Rants, Tools with 7 Comments

An entrepreneur starting a new business was asking for advice on specific connecting tools this week. I gave him a few tips. Ultimately though, I told him there were a few books that would supply him with everything he needed to know. Plus they would cover the topic in greater detail. His reply was a simple “I don’t have time to read”. Really, I asked? Not even an audio book while you travel?

Reading keeps us sharp and helps us stay constant students not only of our own trade but the world around us. On average in the US Adults spend 2.73 hrs a day watching TV and an average of 23 minutes commuting to and from work*. Those are just a few segments of time that could be used. Books are available in many forms making it easy for the busy person on the go. I am currently reading three books with my kindle account on three devices that sync between each other. I can grab a section on my MacBook Pro, pick it back up on my Droid X sitting in a doctor’s office and then continue at the same spot as I settle into bed with my iPad. Some ebooks can even read to you while you commute (including two my company developed) and others can also be synced through your favorite audio program like iTunes, Spotify or Google Music.

If you tell me you are too busy to read I will tell you that you wrong. You are missing out on valuable information to help you not stagnate in an ever changing business world. Most of all though, you are missing all the benefits that a good book offers. Peace, perspective and a stimulated mind. If you still feel you don’t have time, my friend Tara can point out all the time you don’t know you actually have.

*figures based on US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Gallup poll.

Brevity and connection

July 22, 2011 in Connecting, General, Marketing, Publishing, Rants, Social Networking, Tools, Twitter with 3 Comments

Twitter taught me how to get a point across in 110 characters of text. Many of us noticed our writing improve on blogs and in books. Another benefit was the ability to know quickly if you were someone I wanted to connect with. In the short descriptions on a good twitter profile I knew who you were, what you did and where you did it. Better yet I had a link to find out more.

As people add me to circles on Google + I am noticing a common occurrence. Just like twitter, Google Profiles are where I quickly assess whether I want to add you to a circle or not. Several profiles read like resumes or worse they are just one solid block of five hundred words or more. Most of all they are boring.

The profiles that catch my attention are short, creative and utilize all the tools that Google has offered including the photos banner. And like twitter, really your profile is as good as your last post.

Like the subject of this post I am keeping it brief. Please feel free to comment, disagree or share your own profile insights.

If we are not connected on Google + you can find me at http://gplus.to/johnflurry. See you there.

Giving Pause in Google + (or anywhere)

July 15, 2011 in Connecting, General, Publishing, Social Networking with 3 Comments

While doing research writing policies for my former employer, I ran across Intel’s social media policy. To this day the one line that still sticks with me is “if it gives you pause, pause” meaning that if anything makes you stop and think maybe it should not be shared on the web or wise counsel should be sought before doing so. This past week Google + surprised me with a notice when I began to share a friend’s post. The box appeared when I clicked share reminding me that it had originally been intended for a limited audience and asking me if I really wanted to do that.

I loved the reminder. All of us could use a pause button. To this day my post on filtering your tweets is still one of my most read entries. We make mistakes, are impulsive and even at our best often lack judgement. We let things slip that should not be said. We say things to people we quickly regret. Is it so bad to have filters and checkpoints? Google found it worthy enough to include it in their sharing methods.

My grandfather told me once that I should pause before saying anything and roll it around my head first. He said that trying it on first will help to say something more meaningful. As we have increasing ways to broadcast ourselves, pause is more valuable than we may realize.

Join me on google plus. If you don;t have an account I have plenty of invites. Send me your gmail account name on my contact form.

Being a valuable contributor to your tribe

April 8, 2011 in Connecting, General, Publishing, Social Networking, Tools, Twitter with 5 Comments

Last week I wrote about influence overload and choosing what we are influenced by.

So how do I ensure I am staying a valuable contributor to my tribe? Knowing what my tribe’s interests are is a good starting place. Mine is a combination of authors, publishers, entrepreneurs, communicators, coaches and fellow mobile and online tool enthusiasts. There are probably many more nacent groups in there. My point is, find out who they are and what they want from you. Hopefully they have gathered because of the original content you provide and the discoveries you share.

Second I stay valuable by not reposting like a parrot (read Strange Behavior of Crowds). I try to limit my posts to six types of messages: (I am sure I could define more but these stood out).

The Reading post: You will see me post that I am reading something. That means that I have actually started reading something and I think it is worth sharing.

The really valuable Reading post: For this I will usually post a secondary comment like “must read” or “great post”.

The next type is the announcement and is usually reserved for my blog posts or other content I have created like a video.

Then there are the conversations. I try to keep these minimal unless I think the conversation is valuable to the community. Most likely I take those offline.

The fifth type of posts is the question and answer post. I am either trying to get information or answer someone’s question. Twitter is a great tool for customer service. Use it.

Last is the I am here post. I don’t mind you using location services. In fact I like it because I may get to meet up with you. I also like to know the cool places my tribe hangs out.

Keep your posts relevant to those in your community. Take a minute and think if the article you retweet or share on Facebook really is worth passing on. I thank my tribe for keeping me interested and informed. They make me look like I know what I am talking about.

Dailies, Flipboard, Alltop…: consumption vs engagement

January 19, 2011 in Connecting, General, Publishing, Raves, Reads, Social Networking, Tools, Twitter with 6 Comments

I have written a couple times about the usefulness of tools like Paper.li, Flipboard and Alltop. They help me stay engaged and informed.  (You can read about this process here.  I update the blog post as the way I get my news changes.) When Flipboad came out for the iPad, I added my favorite public lists to it and used it for a while. I used Alltop to get my news.  I don’t anymore.  Now I only use my Facebook friends updates and four lists on Twitter.  As you can see, this is a process.  And like any process, there will be bumps and misfires along the way to finding something that works well.

I believe we need two things to succeed today.  We need to continually learn and we need to lead a thriving tribe.  So with those two, there is a need to both consume and engage.

So back to the tools I mentioned above.  Do they work for you?  Are they helping you carry out those two goals?  For many they help synthesis lists and friend updates into a formats that are both visually pleasing and easy to read. They have even changed the way website design.  I changed my WordPress template to look like a Flipboard magazine because I found it easier to process.  Hopefully it is easier for my readers to read as well.

Are you using any of them?  Are you sharing your lists via Paper.li and is your tribe reading them?

Would you hire someone to talk to your spouse?

January 13, 2011 in Company Culture, Connecting, Customer Service, General, Marketing, Publishing, Tools with 4 Comments

While at a content marketing conference today I heard several people encouraging others to hire outsourcing for your content. Now understand, I am all for outsourcing, just not the things that are essential to your voice and building trust.  So I asked my friend Terri Nopp that question: would you hire someone to talk to your children or your spouse? Your customers, your tribe, your community are important to you, right? Hopefully they are. She replied “a counselor”. We had a good laugh. So yes, good point, but that is if you have a problem with someone you are trying to reach. My point is, if someone else is talking to your spouse or anyone important to you and you are not, something is wrong.

Hire guides, consultants and mentors. Ask them to teach you how to use the tools and find your voice. Take writing classes. Follow others you enjoy reading. Take a video class. Take some risks and hire people who are just as passionate as you are. But don’t let someone else tell you story or handle your content.

Editorial Calendar: from sporadic to consistent blogging

January 5, 2011 in General, Publishing, Raves, Tools, Video with 7 Comments

I first found this great WordPress plugin tool via Chris Brogan’s post.  To be clear, Editorial Calendar changed my blogging habits completely.  I went from posting sporadically, which is too common for most bloggers, to posting consistently three times a week.  Today I asked my friend Justin Lukasavige to do a quick video showing how he uses it.  Thanks Justin!

One last note: I use the tool on the fly every-time I get a post idea.  I get them in the middle of conversations, while travelling, watching a movie, you name it.  Instead of making a note on my iPad, sending myself an email, writing it on my hand, I now open up the Editorial Calendar, think of a quick title and maybe write some notes or add a link.  That is it.  I think I have nearly thirty draft posts waiting for me to finish.  This has given me plenty of material to work with.  I absolutely love it and recommend it.

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