This is a guest post by John Saddington. He is a professional blogger who loves sharing his blogging tips, tricks, tools, and practical teaching. He covers such topics as SEO, WordPress and making money with your blog. If you want to guest post on this blog, check out the guidelines here.
Sometimes we need to stretch ourselves outside of our comfort zones in an effort to improve our writing. But it’s not natural to make yourself uncomfortable. No one willingly jumps out of box without a bit of helpful prodding or a direct challenge.
Yesterday, I wrote about how the mindset of a successful creative differs from less successful ones. I listed thinking big as the #1 characteristic. Several of my readers commented that they struggled with this.
I certainly understand why. When we are young, parents and teachers tell us we can do anything and become whatever we want. But as we grow older, these same people tell us we must be more realistic.
I have worked with authors for more than three decades. I have also worked with speakers, recording artists, and other creatives. I have had the privilege of working with the best—and the challenge of enduring the worst. Ninety percent fall somewhere in the middle.
What separates them is not talent. Surely, this plays a role. But it doesn’t fully explain why some creatives with marginal talent become successful and others with extraordinary talent never really make it. (I could name names, but I would get myself in trouble on both counts!)
Help Me Pick a New Title
Can you help us decide on the subtitle and copyline for my next book?
I am writing a new book on the subject of building a platform. It is designed for authors, speakers, recording artists and anyone else who wants to get noticed in an increasingly noisy world. Thomas Nelson is my publisher and will release the book in April 2012.
We have created a survey with exactly one question: “Which subtitle and copyline would make you more likely to purchase my book?” To see the options and vote, click here.
Soon after I joined Twitter, I began auto-following everyone who followed me. I did it as a courtesy, so that it would make it easy for my followers to send me a private or direct message. I engaged in many one-on-one conversations that way, because I believed they were irrelevant to my other followers.
However, I have since changed my philosophy, choosing to reply publicly to most Twitter mentions. Why? Because the only people who see these replies are people who follow both me and the sender. In other words, only the people for whom the message might be relevant.
I’m Taking Labor Day Off
I am taking Labor Day off. It is a holiday here in the U.S.
According to Wikipedia, Labor Day celebrates the economic and social contribution of workers. The first Labor Day was observed on September 5, 1882. It ultimately became a federal holiday in 1894.
Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer. In fact, when I was a boy, school didn’t start until after the holiday. Those were the days!
Paid to Speak by Various NSA Members (Austin, TX: Greenleaf Book Group Press, 2011)
This is one of the few books I have read on public speaking that covers more than just communication. The book also deals with the business side of public speaking. I found it very helpful as I shifted from amateur speaker to professional.
Do you ever find yourself worshiping God and not really meaning it? This very funny video is a good reminder that we need to align our hearts with our words.
I thought this side deck was an excellent example of presentation design at its best. In case you haven’t heard, bullet slides are dead. Good riddance.
As a leader, your followers deserve better. Something like these slides, please.
This is a guest post by Tor Constantino. He is a former journalist, has an MBA, and works in public relations where he has directly reported to several CEOs in his career. He lives near Washington, D.C. with his wife and two daughters. You can read his blog and follow him on Twitter.
Every successful leader wants to be a “game-changer.” If you’ve ever watched a televised sports event, you’ve no doubt heard commentators banter back-and-forth about key points in the game where “momentum shifted” in favor of the winner.
Regardless of what caused an unplanned momentum shift, it’s safe to say it usually occurs among the competitors themselves who are directly engaged on the “field of play.”
Want to become a published author? My new audio course provides step-by-step instructions. Click here!
