I’m Leaving the Parking Lot – An Adventure in Social Media

My head is still spinning from the informational overload, excitement, new relationships and possibilities opened as a result of attending this spectacular conference in NYC last week. I want to offer my own session next year called something like, “So you’re totally inspired by BlogHer ’11. Now what?”

Thought I’d share some of my follow-up to-do list to inform and inspire you, and for you to hold me accountable.

• Check out and spend time on these websites and blogs among others: tarynp.com, alltop.com, pearltrees.com, topsy.com, tumblr.com and smartbrief.com.
• Spend time: researching google analytics for my blog posts, inserting a google tool bar, learning more about feedburner, clicky.com, wompra, postrank, filtering keyword reports.
• Add social media addresses to my email sig file. New business cards with social media addresses.
• Introduce people I met at BlogHer to people I know who would benefit from knowing them.
• Write blogs about each of the subjects I noted, like the fine line between friending and stalking; whether or not to truncate blog posts; what it’s like to be more learner than expert, etc.
• Form a social media mastermind group to help me and others up their tech skills in these areas.
• Spend dedicated time on twitter and facebook daily.

I will approach these in bite-size pieces and spread them over the next several weeks and months until using social media and feeling more on top of this becomes second nature. Currently it feels like I’m in the parking lot of my elementary school with my father pushing me on my two-wheeler with unsteady training wheels. I look forward to being on the open roads sailing along on a ten-speed, hands free.

Need a little inspiration to take the plunge in some area of your business? Take a look at chapter 2 of my updated book, Soul Proprietor: 101 Lessons from a Lifestyle Entrepreneur, it’s entitled “Take the Plunge – When Risks Pay Off”. Discover why you have to step out of your comfort zone, take risks, and survive the moments of dread to grow your business.

Highlights from My Blog

I Met Bruce Jenner!
Let me put this in perspective for those of you reading this who are under, say, 40. Having my picture taken with Bruce Jenner would be the equivalent of you having your picture taken with Tiger Woods last summer. Bruce Jenner was THE athlete back in the early 70′s… There’s something here about the trajectory of a career. Read more.

Choose Your Outcome
I had the immense pleasure and privilege of sitting at the table with Missy Germain and her mother Gayle at the opening breakfast session at BlogHer 2010.   Missy and a partner created the blog bittenandbound.com which, by her tagline’s admission offers “the not so pretty side of Hollywood.” On my own, I would never have come across this blog, but after talking to Missy, I got more interested…Clearly, Missy has her eye on the prize and goes after it with intelligence and drive. Read more.

Elevator Pitch Reversal
On my walk this morning I heard a recent program called Million Dollar Ideas. During one segment there was a discussion about the good old elevator pitch. They talked about venture capitalists meeting with students at MIT who are learning this important communications skill but it was slightly altered... Read more.