Why Blogging Sucks (well, at least mine)

As a writer, I find myself second guessing the ‘worst’ thing – that my content isn’t good enough.  

For anyone at all.

Ever.  

I admit it.  I need an audience.  We blog because we want to be read.  As a matter of fact, one of the goals I have as a blogger is to gain more readers. 

I link my blog to facebook with hopes that people will click on the link to my blog, and perhaps become a subscriber.  I send my posts to Twitter, Digg, StumbleUpon and Del.icio.us to increase readership.  I research other avenues to gain some notoriety – yet my efforts seem to lead to nothing but cavernous voids. 

As I look into the black hole of despair (ok, it’s not that bad), I realize I may have missed the mark.  And as hard as it is to speak these words, there may be a few flaws to my method. 

So I stepped back, assessed and did a little research to find out why.  Here’s the short list:

1.  I thought I could provide content from which people could learn something, when in reality I wanted more readers.  I wrote about social media, marketing, communications and other work-related subjects.  I experimented with video (still want a Flip) and YouTube, which led to a smaller amount of exposure but nothing on the scale I anticipated.  I wrote about communications and wanted to share my knowledge.  So why was my biggest post one about how Norway and Iceland were the “Best Places to Live” in 2008? 

Simply put – People don’t care.  I read blogs about communication, marketing and blogging. My readers didn’t. 

Solution:  Post something relevant, along with something you’re interested in.  Step outside of the box and be funny, witty, adventurous and write about things that push the envelope.  It will help you and your readers both. 

2.  I don’t post regularly.  I know more than anyone doing something intermittently becomes increasingly difficult to maintain.  A post here and there adds insult to injury, just like going to the gym less and less makes it that much harder to get back in shape. 

Solution:  Consistency in posting interesting, reliable content is key..  I’ve been told to write about something each day, just to keep writing.  Perhaps there’s logic in writing everyday but not necessarily in publishing everyday. 

3.  I lacked planning.  I had no idea what I wanted to write about.  I wanted to write a blog but didn’t know what to say.   I’m the kind of guy that needs a plan and not sure if that plan ever came together. 

Solution:  Devise a light roadmap; set some attainable, measureable goals (i.e. writing so many words each day); evaluate those goals; change plan if necessary.

4.  I take for granted the inspiration that’s all around me.  One of my biggest complaints to myself is that I lack inspiration.  I have this fear that what matters to me doesn’t matter to everyone else – not necessarily the case. There’s inspiration all around.  I just need to let my mind stop for 5 minutes to absorb and process it in a way which is interesting.   

In order to stay on target with your blog, I would suggest writing about something you love, write something every day, post regularly, push the envelope.  Use humor and wit to write about topics that piss you off (remaining somewhat on track). 

People like to read blogs because they’re interesting, short, funny and offbeat.  If they want to learn, they’ll read a text book.

Things to Think About in 2010

I decided to go through the 400+ messages my Google Reader has accumulated over the past couple of weeks.  Trudging my way through myriads of information from web analytics to investment insights, I discovered a wonderful post from David Meerman Scott.  David passed on a freely shared e-book written by Seth Godin (whom I also follow via an RSS feed – just haven’t gotten there yet) and contained some amazing insight for the new year.

Seth asked over 70 industry professionals to write a short essay given only one word.  Each page contains that author’s input and, I must say after reading it, was compelled to write this post.  EVERYONE in marketing, pr, communications, ethics and mid- to upper-level management can gain something from the text.  Take some time to flip through this and let me know what you think.  I’m sure you’ll be pleased.

Download the e-book here.

In addition, I was happy to say I actually follow several of Godin’s contributors, and I’ve heard about several others through lectures or web casts.  The composite list can be found on page 3 of the e-book, and I encourage you to look a few of them up.  One person I really enjoy is Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love.  In the book she talks about “slowing down” but I first came across Gilbert through her speech at the TED awards, where she spoke on creativity and genius.  In case you haven’t seen this, take a few minutes to understand her message.  It’s pretty interesting.

TED Talks – Elizabeth Gilbert muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses — and shares the radical idea that, instead of the rare person “being” a genius, all of us “have” a genius. It’s a funny, personal and surprisingly moving talk

more about “Elizabeth Gilbert on nurturing creati…“, posted with vodpod

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I can’t believe I’ve had over 11,500 hits over the past couple of years.  I’ve sent over 1,000 tweets.  We live in a ever-growing, digitally connected world but I can’t stress enough the importance of human interaction.  We need to make sure things are done becuase they’re the right things to do, not because it’s “in.”  Just because something has potential for one company, it may not work for you.  The joy you hear in someone’s voice when calling to wish them a simple Happy Birthday can never be replaced by a Facebook post.

Here’s to investing more time in the people and things I love in 2010.  Happy New Year!

The Wait is Over (drum roll please…)

After eight months of hard work, determination, a positive attitude, a move halfway across the country and LOTS of networking, I finally landed a great job in Chicago!!!

As of November 30th, I am the new Communications Manager at Standard Parking’s Corporate Headquarters, a publicly traded parking management company with over 16,000 employees.  The job will provide an amazing opportunity because I actually get to build a communications department from the ground up.  My first task will be to continue work on an internal communications plan, partnering with multiple departments for intranet implementation.  Shortly there after, the responsibility expands to more of a marketing and public relations role, while continuing maintenance of internal channels.  I’ll also (hopefully) be implementing a social media platform.

It will be a challenging and exciting time, as well as a huge learning experience.  I’m in eager anticipation to test the limits of my communications skill set.  After five interviews, almost six weeks of waiting and stress galore, I finally heard back with the great news.  But, it goes to show that good things do come to those who wait.

Thanks to everyone for their help and encouragement during my “down time.” Your thoughts and kind words really kept me going!

I’m also working on four blog posts simultaneously, so more justinarium content coming soon.  Stay tuned!

Pitt Students and Alum…FIGHT PROPOSED TAX!

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl proposes to tax working and non-working students 1 percent tax to help subsidize city worker pension plans.  You can fight this tax by reaching out to your city councilman (see Alumni Relations Site for sample letter and councilman contact information).

SAY NO TO THIS TAX!!!

Summary and Talking points (taken from Alumni Relations Web site):

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl has proposed a 1 percent tuition tax on university students that is illegal, ill-advised and unfair! A majority of students pay City wage taxes through their part or full-time jobs, and pay City real estate taxes through their rental payments and home ownership. Universities play a critical role in the economic vitality, vibrancy and marketability of the City. The Mayor’s proposed tax weakens the City’s emerging reputation as a progressive city and will negatively impact economic and community development. Students need you to contact your Pittsburgh City Council members.

Talking Points: Taxing Students is Illegal and Unfair

• Many students also work in the City of Pittsburgh and pay City Wage taxes and the Local
  Services Tax.
• Most students and/or their parents pay real estate taxes either directly as homeowners or
  through their rental payments.
• Students also pay the Regional Asset District Tax, Amusement Tax and Parking Tax.
• As presented, the tax will charge a student between $27 and $400 per year for the privilege
  of studying at his or her school. These students attend school approximately eight months
  per year. Compare this to the $52 Local Services Tax per year that individuals living outside
  the City of Pittsburgh and working in the City pay, even though they may be earning
  anywhere from $4,000 to $4 million over twelve months of employment.
• Both of the City’s financial oversight bodies confirm that the City has not done enough to
  reduce expenditures and consolidate services and functions with the County of Allegheny to
  lessen its costs.
• The Mayor’s tuition tax proposal is contrary to well established law in Pennsylvania and the
  United States. This proposed tax is illegal and unenforceable. It is an unfair and
  counterproductive effort to force students to pay for decades of neglect and
  mismanagement of the City’s finances and pension fund.
• Education plays a major role in the vibrancy and marketability of this Region. As anchors in
  our neighborhoods, we act as economic generators to promote places where people want
  to live, work, play and invest, thus bringing more revenues to the City. The Mayor’s
  proposal weakens the City’s credibility as a progressive city and will hinder both community
  and economic development.
• Pittsburgh’s universities are part of the largest employment sector in the Region and the
  only employment sector to add jobs every year since 1995. Additional taxes on students
  will discourage attendance at Pittsburgh universities and reverse the job growth they
  provide.
• Pittsburgh has an emerging reputation as a dynamic, innovative college town. Taxing
  students will ruin that positive reputation.

Pass this along to all alumni that you know.

Brazen blogger tweets miscarriage…and I love her for it.

Penelope Trunk blogs, founded three internet start-ups and demonstrates amazing writing ability.  I’m a huge admirer of her work and a member of Brazen Careerist, one of her internet companies to help job seekers.

In late September, she posted a rather catching tweet from work:

I’m in a board meeting. Having a miscarriage. Thank goodness, because there’s a fucked-up 3-week hoop-jump to have an abortion in Wisconsin.

This caused a huge stir with her virtual community and with a large percentage of women in general.  It also got her another interview on CNN.

Personally, I applaud Trunk for her transparency, her willingness to engage in the conversation and standing strong for her belief system.  There’s no denying that miscarriages suck.  It sucks to get pregnant when you don’t expect it.  But in Trunk’s mind, the tweet wasn’t about the miscarriage.  It demonstrates the ability to conduct your life accordingly in the midst of an unfortunate incident, and expresses frustration regarding an inefficient Wisconsin policy.

I have a dear friend who’s having a terrible time getting pregnant.  She’s in her late thirties and has a beautiful three year old daughter.  She and her husband would love to have a second child but her doctor stated that women in her age group have a less than 6% chance of getting pregnant.  What’s worse, many of her friends are going through the same thing.  She’s had two miscarriages since she started trying…high-cost fertility treatments and all.  And you know what?  She talked about it.  She went to work.  She’s cried and bitched and moaned.  In both instances, she was sad.  But she knew she couldn’t just stop conducting her life because of what happened.

It’s conversations like these that keep the virtual community engaged.  Why can’t people talk about their circumstances openly?  I think the line of what can be said to whom is quickly becoming a distant memory.  If you’re getting divorced, people know.  If you’re getting married, everyone knows.  If you get an abortion (whatever your belief) fewer people may be in the loop, but they still know.  If people choose to take part of the virtual world (which sooner or later they will), they need to be ready for the consequences.

Kudos Penelope.  I look forward to reading more posts and having you push the boundaries further.  Your posts make me think, laugh and learn.  Since I’m in Chicago, if you’re ever down this way and can spare a half hour, perhaps we can laugh face-to-face.

Ack! Life got to me.

Sorry I haven’t posted anything in over a week.  My hope was to have at least three videos up before now.  I haven’t even come close.

I’ve actually been working, and grateful for it.  I recently took a part-time job (or at least I thought).  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining.  It was just my impression that “part-time” meant 10-20 hours a week.  I’m scheduled 35 hours this week and 37 hours next week!  I also have two freelance jobs I’ve been working on, so needless to say my time has been tight.  The paycheck will be nice, though.

Some things of note:

I added an events calendar to my blog. I post marketing and communications networking events, conferences or meetings I feel would help out other job seekers.  Check it out and let me know what you think.  (P.S. If anyone knows how to embed a Google Calendar into a wordpress.com platform, please send me an email.  I couldn’t figure it out.)

Thanks to Apple for making “washing machine-proof” headphones. My heart sank when I opened the washing machine door and found my iPhone headset coiled up in a ball.  I don’t recommend trying this out because I felt like I lost my puppy or my favorite toy.  I was a little upset earlier that day because I had a conference call and had to listen to it on speaker, rather than on a headset.  But, I think I was more mad at myself for being dumb and allowing them to get washed.  I thought, “what the hell” and plugged them into my phone.  They ended up working like nothing had happened.  Even the mic worked.  Thanks Apple for making my day.  (As an aside, I wonder if Zune headphones would hold up the same way?  Perhaps it was a sign to head to Apple store and buy a PowerBook.)

I’ve managed to score a couple of interviews this week for full-time communications positions. Keep your fingers crossed.

Ok, I’ve got lots to do so I’m cutting this short.  I wanted to post something for you.  The next video’s going to be good.  I’m going to discuss Penelope Trunk’s twitter scandal, some job hunting tips and the piece I’m working on for Ragan Communications.

Until next time…

Introduction and Chicago Summer (first vid)