Is Age Overrated?

What are YOUR thoughts?

The Top 5 Things Entrepreneurs And Brands Should Be Doing On Facebook With Shama Kabani

Notes:
#1: Must Have A Purpose.
#2: Managing Your Profile/Pages.
#3: Engage Your Community. Keep it interactive!
#4: Don’t Share Anything You Wouldn’t Share With A Stranger.
#5: Create A Social Media Policy For Your Company

+ #1 Mistake to avoid: Don’t be out there aimlessly!

A little bit more about Shama and make sure to check her out at Shama.TV

5 Reasons To Grow Your Online Network

You have heard the saying “bigger is better” but when it comes to an online network, there are definitely multiple sides to the size coin.

First off, what the heck do I mean by an online network? I mean: Facebook friends/fans, Twitter followers or any other forms of community (LinkedIn, Flikr, etc.) and to some extent  Newsletter/E-Blast subscribers, blog subscribers (some of those can be more one way)

Some people argue it is better to have a smaller, more intimate network as opposed to a bunch of random people. I agree with this 50%. I definitely agree that random, uninterested people may not be of value to your network; however, if you have an engaged community…why not grow it?

Having a large, responsive, engaged community and network is one of the most valuable tools you can have. It can also be easily abused (that is a whole other post).

We have built a nice (and growing) community with The Rise To The Top. It as been a blast and allowed me to help interested people and they also help me as well.

Thinking about growing big? Here are 5 reason why it might be time to grow:

1. Bigger Is Efficient: One tweet, blog post, video, or email blast can reach thousands of interested people. Good luck trying to do that by phone or pony express.

2. Helping People…In Public AKA Public Displays Of Helpfulness: If you are growing a business and are helpful with your community, it will improve your reputation. Unlike a closed door meeting or private phone call, your social networks are just that…social. Think of the five most helpful people on your network. Why do you categorize them as that? My guess is it isn’t brain surgery by the fact that you can see them helping people.

3. Crowdsourcing: When you have a trusted network, it is the a huge weapon when you have a question. What is the best blogging software to use? Do you want to rent my girlfriend’s condo (that is a real one!) Does anyone have experience with Skype? Who has a favorite hotel in LA? You would be surprised the information you can gather by simply asking and it certainly beats randomly searching (Note: This can easily be abused. Remember to be HELPFUL FIRST and ask for help second).

4. Ideas: Looking for a dose of creativity? Turn to your network. Try something out. See what everyone’s interests are. Is someone working on a cool project? Can you learn from posted articles and videos?

5. It is fun. A big network is sort of like ice cream when you are a kid. You always want the bigger cone but remember if it is too big you will get sick. Remember to have some fun, joke around and be a freaking human.

Online relationships can be a little tricky. Committing to grow as opposed to staying too small may be a great decision for you and your biz.

Are You A Jackass Or One Of The Trusted? 5 Questions To Ask About Your Business And Personal Reputation

Are you a jackass or trusted advisor? Slick sketchster or amazing resource? “Reputation” is an extremely important word (READ: EXTREMELY) in business and combines the powers of public relations, marketing, advertising, customer service and more. Why? Because people buy from people they know and trust. This “knowing” and “trusting” is based on reputation.

For example, think of your best friend. What words would you to describe him or her? Are they caring, giving, helpful, loving? Do they follow up on their word or constantly cancel (I just had to cancel on someone today on a conference call..grrr I hate doing that)? When you are with this person do you feel safe, happy, excited?

The same thing applies to your business whether you are a corporation (example: Apple conveys innovation, fun, gotta-have, sleek, sexy), a small business (an accounting firm for example might want to convey the words safe, secure, thorough) or a personal brand like Chris Brogan (Trust, understanding, helpfulness).

You have probably heard the quote: “Your reputation precedes you.” Think about it. You can market and spend all the advertising dollars you want and if your reputation is still poor, you will still be in trouble (Example Charter Communications here in St. Louis… but that is true of many cable companies yikes!).

If you want to avoid a reputation of slimy, sketchy, unreliable, annoying, or any of those words you are looking to avoid, here are five questions you have to ask yourself:

1. What would you like your reputation to be?

Powerful or easy-going? Energetic or analytical? Precise or creative? Reliable or all over the place (a severe case of ADD)? Quick moving or methodical? Well liked? Trusted? Helpful?
(Note: some of those go together but you get the idea)

2. How do others see you ONLINE?

On social networking sites. On your website. On blogs. In PR Articles. What do they see you as? Helpful? A nuisance? Offer something of value? A pest? Authentic and transparent? Always stirring the pot? Just looking to make a fast buck? Always promoting yourself?
3. How do people perceive you IN PERSON?

Well put together? Dynamic? Shy? Always energetic? Trusted? Always willing to introduce people to one another? Only out for your own good?

4. What does Google say about your reputation?

Google (or Bing) yourself. Bing yourself sounds pretty fun. Lets keep it non sexual folks!  When you Google your name, what comes up? You naked at a frat party from 1993 or your old web page that hasn’t been updated since 1994?

5. What do people that know you say about you?

Are you often referred from others? If so, why do you think that is? If not, why not? Are positively sticky (not like melted M&M’s sticky) meaning people remember you and like you and your business? How can you become more sticky? I know I always refer a large group of people. Do you refer people? Why do you do so?

Your turn: When you think of the following what are three reputation characteristics that come to mind?

-Dell
-Barack Obama
-Delta Airlines
-Google
-Microsoft

Now think, how can I manage my reputation to make sure I have positive qualities of someone that is great to be around and do business with? Ask some friends or your social networks what they really think of you. Start with asking for three words to describe you. What did you find out?
Remember your business might change. Your career might change. But brands and reputation fly forever.

Oh and MAJOR KUDOS to Tricia Hardman. She read Chris Brogan’s post and my video about Thank You’s and sent me a HAND-WRITTEN thank you note for following her on Twitter (see above). Now that is awesome and her reputation needle just moved in my book.

How To Turn Your Creativity Into Business and Passions Into Cash

What side of the brain do you fall on? Are you super creative or more analytical? Some argue that it is difficult to build a business if you are the artist type: Writers, musicians, creative thinkers, artists.

For this episode of The Rise To The Top, we found some great creative geniuses to tell their story and tips to hopefully inspire you to tap into your creativity and passions.

Will you be the next success story? We can’t wait to find out.

Know someone that might enjoy the show? We appreciate you passing it to others who will find it useful as well.