Amazing edge inspiring video for wherever you are in building success on your own.
Sean V Walker (via MrRay1640)
Archive for August, 2010
STREAM: How to Spread Influence with a Mars Dorian
A few weeks back I got the opportunity to sit in on a consultant training entitled, “Impression Management” based around how to act and present yourself to the level of top CEO’s around the world. As I assisted with the technical needs and jumped in to participate I was reminded of how 93% of our communication is body language (According to Bore tests) and a majority of our influence is based on appearance.
Uh Oh, I thought. I’m attempting to grow my influence to be the “tech guy” every online entrepreneur needs to know about and I only have 7% of your attention to work with? Sheesh.
The impressions we leave in the online world are much less likely to stick, and it’s because of that we need to be vigilant in managing our influence. How can we do that?
I recently sat down and did a skype video chat (thats what you do when you want to digitally meet) with one Mars Dorian. I knew Mars as a commenter on a few blogs, I visited his website about spreading influence and beside thinking he has a sweet name, didn’t know much about him or what to expect from our conversation.
After the call I was on fire. I forgot what it was like to get revved up about your mission, but I was also very aware of some missing pieces for IT Arsenal in growing influence and being more sticky. Mars brought up some great points and I want to make sure you get them too.
Here’s what I took away from the master influencer’s comments.
- Don’t be something your not. I try to play the part of both “small business” and an individual on IT Arsenal, which leaves people thinking the website could just be another corporate site or a team which is intimidating to my core user, the entrepreneur, freelancer and go getter. Even if it’s me and some assistants, there’s no need to say “We”, just be me and do it with personality. Brand tweaking for me in the future.
- Be Passionate. Can I be every entrepreneurs tech guy? No, my practical mind tells me I can’t speak to everyone at once, but should I still try to be? Yes. I remember a comment I received on an entrepreneur video contest I did a while back. The comment was to the effect of shooting down the idea of IT Arsenal because it doesn’t scale, so it’s pointless. One-to-one support doesn’t scale, true, but information does, start small but think BIG. I’m laughing at how I let that comment stick with me until now. I haven’t been fired up like this in a while.
- Repetition. I don’t mean annoying advertisements and social media blasts every 5 minutes, but put your brand into everything. If you scan Mars’s website, you’ll see he has his logo subtly infused into everything, I have it burned into my brain now, and I bet thats exactly what he wants. There’s a power in presence, there’s a fine line about it too, but having a structure where your name appears constantly every Tuesday at 6pm or in a certain section on certain websites consistently, and your influence will grow with repetitive consistent viewing. I’m going to apply this by being consistent in offering a “free tech tuesday” chat every Tuesday night.
Mars has some great insight, and his charisma is seriously inspiring. Check him out for some tips on how to spread your influence.
Mars Dorian — How I Built a Notorious Online Presence in Less Than 5 months (and You Can Too !)
STREAM: Introducing The LD Project Stream & A Sweet Pool
Today I’m introducing The Life Design Project STREAM posts. As the business arm of this project (IT Arsenal) has started demanding more time and energy I wanted a way to continue adding life value to this project. The STREAM posts will comprise of shorter specific valuable points I’m learning along the way with occasional links and epiphanies. You can identify them by STREAM in the title. I’ll keep to posting at least one “pillar” or substantial post a month. I hope these will be quick hits for your success, and more consistent updates to this project!
The Story So Far…
The venture into building a lifestyle business (and easily managed income streams) continues! Last month was a milestone as I made more online than my offline salary. The income comprised of about 20% freelance (read craigslist) pickups, 65% IT Arsenal (the blog connections turned profitable, tech help online, my digital product, etc… gigs or paid consulting), 10% affiliate payout and about 5% from some web hosting I do.
I couldn’t believe it when looking at my mint.com reports last month, but it was true and time for some relaxation so I decided to do something very “LD” and took an impromptu trip to Jamaica with my girlfriend to soak it up and prove to myself this is real.
It’s still a big struggle to maintain the income and balance life (I’m creating a “review this every morning” document right now and honestly feel scattered at the moment). I’m still very much building my influence and “products” …but there’s a foundation that’s sprouting connections, opportunities, and developments that over time will create that free lifestyle that pays the bills and offers opportunities to pursue dreams. It’s real, it’s out there, it takes work.
Now that I’ve glimpsed this…”feeling” this “business growth?” .. this….way of working if you will… I’d rather build ventures that take heavy time and testing initially but pay again and again any day. Boil it down and it’s a risk of time, energy and money (although not a lot in our internet opportunity economy) … for reward. It’s similar to a traditional business product model in that sense, but the risks are much more money focused, and the value more centered in a product than a person. Sheesh … “Business” has so many varying degrees of definition. What risk are you staring at? Go ahead, take a step in that direction.
Now it’s time to write more content, provide value, help people without end, and build new products. Tech advice anyone?
Reader Response: 5 Questions for Revolution. Are you Another Cog in the System?
Since starting The Life Design Project and delving into the income stage with IT Arsenal, (my bootstrapped online business) the most amazing things have happened. I somehow have become an “expert in my field” an “up and coming blogger” and “someone to keep an eye on” … who knew? It really is true, becoming an expert or someone of note, which is all relative by the way, is not hard, speak out and work hard, it’ll happen…hopefully this blog demonstrates that. Recently I’ve been receiving a few e-mails a week on culture surveys, and interviews for books. The most recent interviewer asked some good questions and I wanted to share my answers and see what you think. Here goes… Continue reading →
