davidsfinch.com

How to Work Through the Beginning Phase

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Let's face your not who you were and your not yet who'll you be. In other words, everything you are and do evolves as you evolve.

The challenge to starting a new business, blog or any creative initiative, is that the beginning is far from the end that you have intended. In all reality your first attempt at producing this new creative idea is probably going to suck. Accepting that it sucks and moving forward is the key to arriving at the desired results.

Ira Glass, host and executive producer of the public radio show, This American Life, recounts his early mistakes in attempting to create quality content that is enjoyable to listen. There is some priceless wisdom in the video... Enjoy!

[via 43folders]

Technorati Tags: blogging, business, personal development, podcasting, video, writing

How to Develop Your Blogging Workflow

If your new to davidsfinch.com, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed or receive free email updates. Thanks for visiting.

For many, developing a blogging workflow is created by trail and error. However, you can save yourself time and energy by learning from those that are doing it well. Why reinvent the wheel when you can gleam knowledge from those that are a few steps ahead of you.

Chris Brogan, blogger and community developer, breaks down the blogging workflow into three areas, goals, tasks and tools. Chris suggests when setting your goals:

Seek link traffic - I write certain posts (like anything with a big number) with a secondary goal of deriving links from you to the story. Why? Because that tells Google and Technorati that I’m doing good things over here, and that matters.
Seek advice - I often write posts where I ask for your opinion. Why have a blog if you can’t start conversations?
Establish thought leadership - When I write about something way off from the norm of what others are blogging about, it’s to show you that I’m not a “me too” blogger.
Promote something interesting - This might be people or software or an event. One point about promotion posts versus other kinds: if you’re looking for comments, promotion posts rarely get them.
Link love to others - Sometimes, I want to give other people the spotlight, or point out good writing elsewhere. It’s important to keep that in mind. Linking out promotes linking in.

After setting your goals it's then time to use the right tools to achieve your tasks as a blogger. Check out the rest of Chris' post as he breaks down the blogger's workflow.

A Sample Blogging Workflow [Chris Brogan]

Technorati Tags: blogging

3 Simple Tips to Finding Your Voice

photo by: star-dust

Anyone that has created content, written or spoken, understands the challenge it can become finding your own voice. In other words, being yourself. However, when you begin, your confidence isn't there and you usually find that you imitate those you admire. What can be embarrassing is when someone recognizes who your trying to imitate and let's you know.

Here are a few things have helped me in producing content using my own voice.

1. Practice makes perfect: The only way you'll find your voice is to continue to write, speak, act etc. The more you produce the more comfortable you'll become in who you are. Experiment until you find what comes natural for you.

2. Know your subject: Many times the reason why we don't produce with originality is because we're uncertain of our subject. A lot of times you can save yourself some embarrassment by waiting until your subject is a part of you versus something you just parrot.

3. Inspiration not Imitation: Find your inspiration from your influencers. I've have a group of individuals that I deeply admire. I study there determination, their habits, and their influencers. I feed off of their success, but only as a means of inspiration.

When you find your voice producing content will seem so much easier. Blog or pod fading will become less a reality in your future.

What have you've done to find your own voice? What has been your biggest challenge? Leave a comment and become part of the conversation.

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Technorati Tags: blogging, new media

Top 5 in November

November was great month for davidsfinch.com. Increase in subscribers and traffic was extremely encouraging. Thanks to all who have subscribed and linked to davidsfinch.com.

Top 5 in November:

7 Ways to Increase Your Income
Are you looking to increase your income? I haven't met a person yet who isn't wanting to find more time and more money. Getting rich quick schemes are not the answer, but if you become creative you can discover legitimate solutions.

How to Break the "No Productivity" Funk
Nothing can be more frustrating than setting out to tackle a project and spend the whole day getting absolutely nothing accomplished. I've had days when it seemed like there was one interruption after another. There have been other times when I couldn't get focused. Then there are times when you make excuses about the interruptions and lack of focused and still get nothing done.

Insider Secrets to Making Team Ventures Work
Success of any venture often times boils down to the harmony within the corporate team. Unfortunately many startups fail not because of a product issue, but because of a leadership issue.

How to Live Your Mission with a Marathon Runner's Mindset
Success in any task always comes down to your ability to endure. Endurance is what keeps you moving forward when your thoughts and feelings can tell you to throw in the towel.

Do You Have What it Takes to Succeed?
In the midst of going for your dreams, or trying to achieve your goals, your never short on information, ideas, tips and opinions. Transitioning from paper talk to walk the talk is often what separates the successful from the wanna-be.

Don't miss an update or post, SUBSCRIBE using RSS or via email.

Technorati Tags: finances, personal mission statement, productivity, self-development, teams

Are You Creating Buzz?

On the day after Apple dropped the price on the iPhone and also unveiled the new iPod line, Louisville is celebrating the grand opening of the Apple Store here in the commonwealth. At six o'clock this evening a large, energetic crowd counted down this special event that brings allegiance to every Mac owner. The buzz that Apple generates every time they open a new store is incredible.

Being the life long student that I am, I'm always learning lessons from everything. Tonight I asked myself the question, "what kind of buzz is this blog generating and who's talking about it? I then began to think about how many products are released every year that never go anywhere. It's not that it's not a good product or software, it just lacks the buzz.

In the spirit of generating buzz, I want to introduce you to an incredible fifteen year old blogger from New Zealand, Glenn Wolsey. Glenn blogs and also produces a video podcast, The Glenn Wosley Show. You'll be impressed with his content and energized by his enthusiasm.

Finally, what are you doing to create buzz about your favorite content developer?

If you enjoy the content provided on this blog, tell someone and SUBSCRIBE for FREE updates.

Technorati Tags: blogging, marketing, new media

Three Things I Learned While Not Blogging

It's can be very eye-opening when you make a decision to listen rather then speak (or write). Over the past three weeks I've been consumed with events like our family holiday, a week of house guests, not to mentioned some interesting developments going on with my "other" job. After a few days into my family vacation, I decided that I wouldn't allow the pressure to maintain stats and subscribers and blog. However I would just listen, no response, no email, just listen.

Here are three observations that I noticed over the past few weeks.

No One Noticed
One of the most interesting things is that no one really noticed that I hadn't blogged. My stats showed some fluctuation, but my subscribers increased. Those that did subscribe never inquired what was causing the lack of blog posts. What I realized wasn't that I needed to fear blog fade or reader loss, but that perhaps a blog built around a community is like a friendship that is built not by frequent get-togethers, but built on the things you share in common. It's like friendships you have that if you don't see each other for months or even longer, you pick up where you left off.

There Are More Echoes Than Voices
One of the things I did do was read all the blogs that I subscribed to. Usually I would take a few hours every few days and read what others have written. One thing that stood out is that there are a lot of blogs that are saying the same thing. Everyone posts about the latest gadget, the latest Web 2.0 application, rehashing productivity tips and tricks, but very few are blogging about cutting edge thoughts and ideas in their area of interests.

I spent a lot of timing thinking, re-imagining, and re-planning my strategy about my blogging initiatives. How much time would I spend being a voice versus how much time I would spend echoing what someone else said. Three posts a day that are just echos or one post a week with rich content that leads to conversations and action. It's the difference between the Back Street Boys and Prince, flood the market with a new album every six months or produce an even greater demand by producing an original product every few years. It's all about demand, but it's also about longevity.

The Possibilities of Are Endless
In this ever changing arena called the global village there are projects and networking taking place that just doesn't inform, but is built around activities that link people together. Groups like Prosper.com, who connect people with money, Grasshoppers who connect people to opportunities and groups like JustCause and JustGive who connect individuals to causes that make a difference financially, globally, and enviromentally.

What do I do with these new found observations? That's where the challenge takes place. What are your thoughts? What things have you learned over the past few weeks?

photo credit: Lost in Scotland

Technorati Tags: blogging, grasshoppers, proper.com, justcause.org, justgive.org

How to RESPOND to a Comment on Your Blog

A few days ago I wrote an article on, "How to Leave a Comment on a Blog." Today, I want to follow up that post with, "How to Respond to a Comment on Your Blog." Here are a few ideas for you to explore.

1. Decide on How You Will Respond
Are you going to personally email everyone that comments on your blog or leave comments within you blog, that is the question? Currently, I do both. I usually send a personal email and if I can keep the conversation going I will leave a comment on the blog. I usually don't respond if the comment is just a link to another blog or site.

2. Always Show Appreciation
I always show appreciation to the individual who took the time to comment. I truly am grateful to anyone who leaves their thoughts, appreciation or even those individuals that disagree. It's all about listening and learning.

3. Build Upon Their Comment
If at all possible I'll try to add something to their comment. I don't force this, but when I can I will

4. If the One Comment is a Blogger Visit Their Site
This is a great opportunity to discover a new blog, network and join the conversation at their blog.

That's it! How do you approach responding to comments on your blog? What would you add or leave out? Leave a comment and share your tips and ideas.

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Technorati Tags: blog comments, blogging, howto

How to Leave a Comment on a Blog

Leaving a comment on a blog goes beyond just saying, "Nice post." It's like being at a party, joining a group of people and being part of a conversation. Often times at the beginning you may just listen, but the more you feel comfortable you begin to interject your thoughts and ideas. You listen, you share, you listen, you share, it's the circle of conversation.

Here are just a few of my thoughts on how to leave a comment on a blog.

1. Begin by Reading the Other Comments First
Nothing can be more rewarding than reading what others have already added to the conversation. A good comment will build on what the author has written and can be a springboard to your comment. It also can help with not duplicating what someone has already said.

2. Leave Your Details
Leave your name, your email and web address if you have one. The purpose of leaving your information is not so someone can harass you, but so that the author of the blog knows who you are. It's also a great way for others to read what you've posted at your site. I can't count the people I've met and blogs I've discovered via comments on a blog.

3. Give Something to the Conversation
It's your turn now! Your going to write your own comment. Remember, this is your opportunity to add value to the article. Your insight, your experiences, maybe even your ideas, it's the core of your comment. This is not the time to promote yourself, but give something back. In giving I guarantee you'll receive value in return.

4. Show Appreciation
There's nothing wrong with showing appreciation to the author as you end your comment. I'm always grateful to those that have taken the time to write and share their knowledge, ideas and thoughts.

5. Follow the Conversation
Do not fall in the trap of leaving a comment and disappearing. Track the blog you commented on and add follow-up if the opportunity becomes available. I'm currently using Co-Comment, a Firefox extension to track comments. It's simple and a great way to keep all your comments in place.

Alright, let's go join the conversation. Feel free to leave your thoughts, tips and ideas on how you add to the conversation.

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Technorati Tags: blogging, how to comment on a blog, howto

Welcome to My New Readers

I want to say "Welcome" to all of my new readers. Thanks for being curious and following the links to one of Typepad's featured bloggers. The success of any blog, as well as this one, is when everyone becomes part of the conversation. As you become part of this blogging community, feel free to add comments, leave your tips and add to what's being said.

If you enjoy what you read tell others about this blog and if your a blogger I would be honored to be linked to from your blog. Once again Thanks for stopping by. How about a toast to new friends and new conversations.

SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE UPDATES.

Technorati Tags: announcements

3 Sure-Fire Ways to Promote Your Blog

Blogging, Blogging, Blogging... It's everywhere and everybody that's anybody has one. The challenge isn't so much as premiering your blog, the challenge is how to promote your blog. The question always is the same, "How to I get people to read my blog?" Which for me the answer is always the same," it's not more information, it's conversations, yep conversations."

The most incredible opportunity is when you began to see your blog as a conversation piece rather than a soap box or a monologue. It's an opportunity for you to be in conversations you would never be involved with. Here are 3 Sure-Fire Ways to Promote Your Blog.

Live the Conversation
In other words, the best way to promote your blog is to blog about things that your passionate about. Not trends or the latest "thing", but areas which cause you to stay up late and get up early. With passion comes longevity, which means the longer your blog is around the greater the opportunity for you to be discovered. When you live it, stats isn't the thing what motivates you, it's passion.

Join the Conversation
The only way to be heard is first listen. In other words, subscribe to every blog that is similar to yours. Comment on a regular basis to other blogs. Email the author, link and promote their blog. By joining the conversation you are joining the blogging community. Remember that basic networking skills work in blogging just like everywhere else.

Expand the Conversation
Let everyone know about your blog. Include it in your email signature. Publish it on your business card. Make sure your blog has RSS feeds enabled. Use services such as Technorati, that will update their directory each time you post to your blog. Use social media applications such as Twitter and Jaiku to promote your blog posts that are readable to a large audience. If your web developer hasn't listed your blog with Google, make sure you do.

As Chris Brogan states, "Make it friendly." Make sure you include a photo and your blog email address. Remember, it's all about conversations.

I'm certain that if you blog what your passionate about, join the conversation, and implement a few of the tools mentioned above, your blog with become a place where conversations are made.

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Technorati Tags: blogging, howto, new media, social media, social networking

Subscribe to My Blog...Please

Here are a few ways that you can subscribe to this blog via the following methods.

To receive this blog via e-mail, please enter your e-mail address:

Enter your Email

You can also subscribe to the David Finch feed:

Finally, you can add this blog to your Technorati favorites.

As the author of this blog I receive motivation because of you and your support. As always, I welcome reader contributions, either as ideas for stories, or as guest entries. If you have any comments or requests to improve this site, please feel free to pass them on.

Technorati Tags: announcements

Blogging, Marketing and New Media

I haven't met one person that is passionate about blogging and new media that isn't constantly looking for ways to excel and become better. I consume blog posts, articles and podcasts gleaming information to become better in this conversational space. Recently, I came across some valuable information that can be beneficial in your new media adventure.

Mike Sansone at ConverStations wrote a fantastic post titled, Do you Sound Like Your Blog?" Mike writes,

"We talk a lot about how building a web presence with blog software can extend the reach of your voice. Like singing into a can and communicating to the masses at the same time.

It’s important to think of blogging more in terms of a conversation than a marketing or public relations piece. Compelling conversation will make for a compelling marketing tool, not the other way around."

You can read the rest of the blog post HERE.

Second, Brian Clark at CopyBlogger gives some great tips from a post titled, "Five Common Headline Mistakes and How to Avoid Them."

"Writing a great headline means crafting an enticing invitation to a prospective reader. It’s not the whole story, nor is it an attempt to convince anyone to do anything other than to keep reading.

That being said, it seems you can’t move two pages on the web without tripping across a poorly-craft headline. While many contain one or more necessary elements, other factors are often left out of the headline, diminishing the overall power and draw of this critical aspect of your copy."

You can read the 5 Common Headline Mistakes HERE.

Finally, Brian Clark again hits another home run with his post titled, "The Benjamin Franklin Guide to Marketing Your Online Business." Brian's insight and expertise resonated with me when he wrote,

"The days of telling people what you have to offer are mostly over, and without a doubt dead as a doornail online. Educational marketing via valuable content is the rule of the web, and social media has given us the ability to fully heed Franklin’s prescient advice.

Educational marketing has morphed into conversational marketing, and the nimble and responsive business will see great advantages by involving prospects and existing customers in a dialogue that is beneficial to everyone involved. You lose control of the message (as if control was ever anything other than an illusion), but anyone who thinks you can talk “at” people online and succeed is deluded."

Read the rest of The Benjamin Franklin Guide to Marketing Your Online Business HERE.

All of these articles are fantastic! Make sure you check them out and read them in their entirety.

Technorati Tags: blogging, business, new media

New Features

If you haven't noticed, I've added two new features along the right side of the blog. Check them out and feel free to comment.

Bonus Reading Material:
Articles, video clips and blog posts that I'm reading and resonate with me. By clicking on the links you can enjoy them as well.

Twitter:
Twitter is what many are calling a micro blogging and a way you can keep up with "What I'm currently doing." Stay in touch and join twitter. My twitter addess is www.twitter.com/davidfinch

Technorati Tags: new media

MicroSpaces: Episode #1 - Pilot

Click To Play

Here it is! The pilot episode of my new video blog, MicroSpaces. MicroSpaces is my personal video blog that will contain content from miLife, miMedia and miStories. Hope you enjoy!

Let me know what you think. Feel free to leave a comment.

You can subscribe for free any never miss an episode.

SUBSCRIBE NOW!

I Found You - Rebecca Haviland

Technorati Tags: announcements

What I'm Thinking About

My head is spinning with projects, possibilities as well as future goals, dreams and plans. There is so many changes taken place in consumer generated media that causes me to be excited about the future. Here are a few areas that I'm thinking about.

• Podcasting
• Video Podcasting
• Video on the Net
• Video Conferencing
• Social Media
• New Forms of Media
• Blogging

What are you thinking about these days? What are the things that excite you?

Technorati Tags: blogging, media, new media, social media, video, video podcasting

It's Time to Work!

I'm trying to practice what I blog about and be more proactive. With that in mind, I'm developing a new blogging schedule that I hope will allow to the maximum amount of productivity on the projects that I'm trying to finish as well as a more regimented approach to blogging on all my blogs. it may take a day or two to work out all the bugs, but hopefully it will work without much of an interruption.

On a side note, today I was able to complete a blogging project that I've wanted to finish for some time. Getting things done always brings great satisfaction!

Technorati Tags: blogging

How to Subscribe to david.finch

It's October 1st and how about starting the month off by subscribing to david.finch. Here are a few ways that you can subscribe via the following methods.

To receive david.finch via e-mail, please enter your e-mail address:

Enter your Email

You can also subscribe to the david.finch feed:

Finally, you can add this blog to your Technorati favorites.

As the author of this weblog I receive motivation because of you and your support. As always, I welcome reader contributions, either as ideas for stories, or as guest entries. If you have any comments or requests to improve this site, please feel free to pass them on.

Open Source Living: Making Community Work

In our time where we are making history there seems to be an outcry to build authentic community. From religious conversations to technology and media, everyone is vying to develop channels, tools and opportunities where individuals can connect. I'm sure the main reason is because the human touch and community interaction has been scheduled out of our busy lifestyles. However, there seems to be push toward building community where there is interaction and collaboration.

In the field of technology there is a term used by computer programmers called "open source." Open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's sources. In other words open source allows anyone access to the nuts and bolts of the program so anyone can add to the product to benefit it's end results.

What if we took this same thinking and integrated it in to our daily lives? What if we came to grasp with the facts that all our success and future plans and goals are only obtained through open source living? Living in a manner where others are included, invited in and counted on to achieve all our intentions. What if we looked for tools and outlets to connect with others?

Here are a few of my thoughts on how to include "open source" thinking in to our daily routines.

1. Agree upon the fact that life is meant to be shared and there are things that can never be achieved without the involvement of others.
2. Intentually look for ways to connect with others. Online forums, networking, local clubs, joint efforts and projects.
3. Let go of the adolescent way of thinking that "all is mine" and that be open to all I have can be shared.
4. Invite others to have access in to our lives that we have kept roped off. Open source living takes away our security blanket for the good of the community.
5. Shut off the TV and computer and weekly "go out" with the intentions to connect and network with others.

Online tools to develop open source living:
Skype
Wiki
Blog
Instant Messenger
MySpace
Meetup
LinkedIN
Moo: MiniCards

What are you thoughts? How do you feel we could integrate open source living in to our lifestyle? What tools and options would your recommend? Leave a comment, email, join the conversation.

Technorati Tags: blogging, open source, self-help, simple living, simplicity, social media

Podcamp Was a HUGH Success!

Podcamp was a hugh success and I'm a mad. No I'm not mad it was a success, I'm made that I couldn't go to Boston and be a part of this over the top event. This is something that has to be a "must" on the calendar for next year.

Over the last two days I've been scouring websites, blogs, video sites for any content I could find from Podcamp. Not only did I find some great stuff, that I will use and implement in the next few weeks, but I've been introduced to some incredible blogs and podcasts. This morning I discover that on the Podcamp Wiki Chris, Christopher Penn, Steve Garfield and the Podcamp crew are making available links from anyone and everyone that has posted media (video, audio and notes) from this last weekend. Here is the link:

Podcamp Boston Recordings and Blog Posts (LINK)

Hope you enjoy them and covet the wealth of information that you are receiving for FREE!

Technorati Tags: Podcamp Boston, Podcamp+Boston

PodCamp Boston Begins Tomorrow Night

You ask what is PodCamp? PodCamp is a FREE BarCamp-style meetup for podcasters and listeners, bloggers and readers, and new media types of all stripes. Chris Brogan from Grasshopper New Media and event organizer writes,

"We’re going to launch the east coast’s PREMIERE event for Podcasters, both video and audio. We’re going to show what this new media space is capable of accomplishing. We’re going to learn from the educators, and teach those who want to know how they can contribute to the digital conversation. We’ve got lots to offer, and it’s going to be so information packed, your head will spin."

If you’re reading this and you’re not able to attend PodCamp, don’t you worry. Chris and the Podcamp Crew are going to provide the podcast in a few ways, including an official feed (subscribe now), as well as some deals that they are making with other distribution channels. You’ll get to be there, even if you’re not there.

Add to: | Technorati | Digg | del.icio.us | Yahoo | BlinkList | Spurl | reddit | Furl |

Technorati Tags: media, Podcamp Boston, podcasting, video podcasting

David Finch: miLife-The Relaunch

Welcome to David Finch: miLife! Look around, check out the changes and feel free to give me your feedback. I still have a little tweaking to do, but were almost done.

RELAUNCH COMING SOON!

I'm in the process of redesigning this blog (again). While you'll see a updated look you'll also see a complete expansion of content. I will continue
to blog about faith and spirituality, but it will be one my many additions to the new content. After a few weeks of contemplating what I was going to do with this blog, I started to become extremely excited about a fresh new approach to blogging about things that I enjoy, read and am passionate about.

So... Keep your eyes open to David Finch, the RELAUNCH!

What a Week!

WOW, What a week! After all the excitement during the Tribuum over the Easter weekend, this week has been filled with activity. Getting back to the daily grind, fitting in luncheons, attending awards ceremonies, not to mention the ever steady six day a week work week has left little time for blogging. I hope that this next week will have a little more rhythm to it.

Yesterday kicked off the Derby Festival here in Louisville, which leads up to the running of the Kentucky Derby on the first weekend of May. Each year the festival is kicked off with Thunder Over Louisville, a spectacular air show and fireworks display. Louisville becomes quite the festive place during these two weeks. As a family, last year we were overwhelmed by all the activities, this year we hope to be more of a participant. If you are ever in Louisville at this time of year make sure you plan to stay for Thunder, you won't be disappointed.

This morning, I did take a little time and watch the movie, Karol: A Man Who Became Pope. Great film that was originally a made for television mini series. It was moving and enlightening as it showed the events in Pope John Paul II early years that helped shaped him as a voice of goodness and peace. I'm always amazed at the events that people endure that are markers in their journey of life. It causes me to wonder what will become of my future as I am shaped and influenced by the things that are around me.

OK, enough rambling about my week. Peace!

Podcast with David Allen:: Getting Things Done

If you haven't noticed I'm a big fan of David Allen and his Getting Things Done system. Today I came across a podcast interview with two Australian mates and David Allen. Check it out!
LINK