Check out the first twelve lessons by clicking this image!
My hubz is stomping back and forth across the house, putting away dinner stuff so I can finish up this post. He is peeved because this was meant to be completed much earlier, and is in no way an example of “getting ahead of your content.”
He’s all,
“I thought things would be different after TribeUp NYC. I thought you would be more dedicated.”
And I am. I really, really am. But dedication doesn’t have anything to do with getting a load of laundry into the washer, or picking up the baby from the bus stop on an early-release day, or turning in a writing assignment that was due this afternoon.
Dedication means that, even though I’m tired as all hellz and feel like dropping into bed, I’m going to stay the course and write this daggone post. Dedication means that I’m NOT going to skip posting tomorrow. Dedication means that I can smell my own funk, but I’m not going to stop for a quick shower, because this shit needs done. Dedication means that words will be written, regardless of what else is going on in my life.
Baby steps, you know?
Or — to phrase it more simply — get off me, man! I’ll be done when I’m done!
Click this image to read my post “TribeUp NYC Sans Boots”!
TribeUp NYC Lesson 13:
Think of Blogging as “Human Engine Optimization”.
Keeping key words and phrases in mind while composing a blog post is important for Search Engine Optimization (SEO), but even more important is remembering who you’re writing for.
Yes, it’s for your readers. Ultimately, however, you’re writing for YOU. And that includes guest posts with link-backs.
Dino Dogan urges us to keep these points in mind when sharing the spotlight with others:
1. I have to know you.
2. I have to like you.
3. You have to make me look good.
One thing Dino makes clear is this: Your writing can be awesome, but if I don’t like you, I’m not linking you. Plain and simple.
What this means for me: Permission to ignore douche bags, even if their writing is top notch. You can’t imagine my relief!
TribeUp NYC Lesson 14:
You want ATTENTION, not traffic.
As Dino says, “Traffic is a false god.”
What this means for me: Following my numbers (per Lena’s instructions) is a good way to know where I *AM*. Gaining attention from other sources is a good way to know where I’m headed. I need to get a foothold on both of these skills!
TribeUp NYC Lesson 15:
Make a plan to build a following on Twitter.
This lesson comes from Robert Moore, who provides step-by-step instructions for making better use of your Twitter account.
1. Jot down a profile of your ideal audience. Age? Sex? Interests? — that sort of thing. Who is most likely to read your blog?
2. Use hashtags to search for likely targets.
3. Make it a goal to talk to at least five new people every day. Create a list which specifically contains the contacts to which you are dedicated to carrying on a conversation.
4. Sort through your followers and find the “Gold” — you don’t interact with at least 20% of the people who are interested in what you have to say. Fix that.
What this means for me: I have put these to use already and immediately noticed a jump in both following as well as dialogue. Go figure — if I make an effort to TALK to people, they respond in kind. Duh. I feel stupid for not really “getting” this sooner.
TribeUp NYC Lesson 16:
Create Serendipity.
This is perhaps my greatest takeaway on a personal level. I absolutely LOVE the idea that you can make your own luck. Robert urges us to “be aware so you can be in the right place at the right time.” THIS.
What this means for me: I’ve already managed to create some of my own serendipity by engaging people with whom I’m interested, and following conversational strings back to their roots, and asking silly questions, and being friendly and complimentary toward those I most respect.
There’s a reason so many people recognized my face at TribeUp NYC. It’s not because I’m uber-talented, I’ll tell you that much for certain. It’s because I made it a point to know people, and as a result, now they know me, too. Serendipity.
Purchase this phone from my Amazon store. Click the image for more details!
TribeUp NYC Lesson 17:
Escalate online relationships into real life relationships.
I know I’ve mentioned this already, but it bears repeating, because Robert nailed it. Talk to people outside the world of blogging.
What this means for me: I talk to one of my favorite online pals on the phone every couple of weeks. I exchange personal emails with some of my other favorite bloggers. And the people I met face-to-face this weekend — just — WOW!
TribeUp NYC Lesson 18:
Capitalize on your influence.
This was a really new idea to me. Dan Cristo jumped in with this and it smacked me upside the head, I was so unprepared for it.
“Endorsements will be the new industry. Bloggers are now ‘celebrities’.”
What this means for me: I honestly don’t know. I’m still building my influence, so capitalizing on it seems a bit premature. Definitely something to chew on, though. I never thought of myself as a celebrity — or even a celebrity in-the-making. That is a scary concept!
TribeUp NYC Lesson 19:
Take risks.
“Say what everyone else is thinking but isn’t saying.”
This gem came from comedian Brendan Fitzgibbons and is one of my favorites.
Brendan followed that up with,
“Don’t worry about bombing — don’t think too hard at all — just be in the moment and follow your instincts.”
What this means for me: I kind of got this one down pat. I already go over and beyond in my observations of how stupid people can act. And thinking ahead has never been an issue for me, haha. I tend to plow ahead and ask what I ran over after it’s already too late to salvage the conversation or repair the relationship. But no one could ever accuse me of being anything other than authentic and true to myself!
TribeUp NYC Lesson 20:
Write what you know.
If I didn’t get this validation in earlier lessons, I sure as hellz got it now. Which is why I won’t be writing any more boring grown-up shit that doesn’t apply to my sense of humor. Not that I have anything against personal finance, minimalism, housecleaning, etc. Those things are awesome. And I seriously wish I was more interested in educating myself in more adult topics. But the truth is, I don’t. So fuck it.
What this means for me: Shit just got REAL.
And that is my conclusion of Lessons 1 thru 20 from TribeUp NYC. Tomorrow I will tell you all the shit that happened to us on the way there and back. Like that one rude bitch at the train station. Or meeting Mr. Ed. I’m totally for realz! Stay tuned.