What started out as chat rooms (the most annoying thing ever invented) a scant 20 years ago has morphed into a sophisticated marketing tool.

I can see it coming...the prestigious and sought-after title of Manager, Blogging Department.

Boy oh boy, have things ever changed!

I'll be there! Word on the street is that your events are not to be missed!

It's time to break out and be noticed!

-Mike-

Party On, Garth!!

Wouldn't miss it for the world! To be in the Inspirational Presences of accomplished wordsmiths...

Maybe I'll write some kind of Neal Young thing this time - a free flowing creative splash.....who knows?

Editing ... Scmediting...Indeed!

I totally agree - just take websites. Since anyone can write with a pencil or type on a keyboard doesn't mean they should write their own homepage.

In fact they probably shouldn't write it at all. But if they can't afford a pro to write it (...and not a web designer, please) they should at least have someone they know - who has been successful in marketing (a critical point) - edit it and/or rewrite it.

If they do write it themselves (substandard reflexive pronoun - sorry), editing is everything. In fact, the joke among writers is, "That's why they call us re-writers."

Editing is so much more than a grammar check - it's all about delivering the message in a way that says what you really want to say. Reading out loud into a tape recorder what you wrote can be quite revealing. Just watch out for split infinitives - quite common in speech, they need to be banned by law from the written word. Such as, "reading what you wrote out loud into a tape recorder can be quite revealing."

...and, of course, those substandard reflexive pronouns (and repetition, too.) And incomplete sentences.

-Mike-

P.S. I'm looking forward to your event on the 21st.

Nice piece, Jean-Pierre.

To be truly successful a small business needs to have all eleven aspects covered. The one (maybe two) that stands out for me is marketing. A lot of businesses start out with no cash, a bad location, no business plan and still make it. But no one makes it without marketing - if no one knows about you, you're sunk.

The second one is getting coaching or having great mentors. If that's not key, it's hugely important. A mentor can guide a business through the other ten things they neglect or don't pay attention to...for whatever reason. Plus, a lot of times, the small biz owner simply isn't good at one area or another and that's where they need to get help.

"Success is a team sport," says Jack Canfield and I agree completely.

Keep up the great work! -Mike-

What sealed the deal for me was watching Johnnie Mac's behavior in the debates - when he moved the sharpie from one hand to another, his empty hand was shaking. Taking that together with his continual misspeaks and nearly obvious decrease in mental accuity from 2000 (when I actually met him) I believe he's too old and doddering.

-Mike-

P.S. I voted for youth, enthusiasm, great judgement and a cool hand under pressure - Obama is an awesome candidate!

Hey Pamela- I'll score you a perfect ten on this wonderful article! I've been in various businesses over the years and (although I never really analyzed it in quite this way) having difficult conversations always leads to closer relationships, referrals and more business.
Actually, conversations that appear to be difficult (to the observer) are often quite easy when you have the benefit other person in mind rather than yourself.

On the other hand, I totally agree with Jamie, when it comes to expressing love and positive feelings we hold back...and then sometime later, be it moments or years, we regret we didn't share the sentiment. Why is that?

Perhaps the difficulty isn't in the conversation, but rather in the fear of the conversation. We have to face up to a potential rejection or to the end to a relationship. That's tough stuff for the ego.

Christine Comaford-Lynch in a recent teleseminar (I'll have to revisit the recording to get her exact words) said to tell eveyone you love that you love them. Now wouldn't that make this a perfect world? -Mike-

Sorry to miss out, guys! This is one of my favorite events. I'll be there next time for sure. -Mike-

Great Idea, Scott! Looks like a cool way to get to know a few folks, form alliances and do a little brainstorming as well. Looking forward to your event....

-Mike Schwagler-

Great article, Kirk.

I clicked on links to each of the companies on the list of the top 10 sales converting websites from June 2008. I didn't have a chance to study them in depth, but they all had this in common: not one leaded with I, Me, or My or WE or any egocentric language AND they all had something to offer. There are some very strong lessons in that.

I see from your network that you know Stacy Karacostas, (http://www.success-stream.com/ ) the Diva of Small Biz Professionals - I like her line best: Make your website your number one salesperson. That's exactly what you're talking about! BTW she's putting on her Website Hotseat (http://www.websitehotseat.com/ ) tomorrow, if youwant to check out a really cool event.

Great work - look forward to more.
-Mike Schwagler-

Platinum catalyst all the way!

One event not to be missed!

Love it!
Now if I could only learn the art of justifying, being evasive and creative rambling I'd run for office.... -Mike-

P.S. One question RE: "1. Straightforward talk with words anyone can understand. Do everyone a favor and bottom-line what you have to say." What exactly do mean by "bottom line" what you have to say?

Synergy energy rules!

See you Friday,

-Mike-

Hi Pam,

Great seeing you last night at the "How to Use Biznik..." meeting. Thanks for the personal invitation to your "Presentation Skills" event.

I'll have to break out early from the big Get Motivated event at Meydenbauer (it's been moved from Key), and I'm sure it will be worth it. Maybe I can bring Zig with me...

Looks like a lot of fun. What an esteemed group to learn from!

This is fabulous!
Biznik - by all appearances - is on the cutting edge of internet and face-to-face social/business networking. I'm looking forward to seeing how it all works.