Happy Holidays!
A few years ago, we started a new tradition around here (at Thrive Your Tribe, I mean). Instead of sending paper holiday cards, we take that money and make a big donation to an awesome charity. I figure you probably get a bunch of cards this month, and besides, I was having a lot of trouble getting them out on time! So, while this means our dear clients, friends, and readers don’t get something in their mailboxes signed by Izzy, this year, it means OxFam is getting a check instead.
This year, when I was writing that check, I was struck by how amazing *you* are. (Yes, I really do mean YOU!) Thank you for being here, reading along with me, even those times when I don’t have a clue what I want to say or how to say it, and also those times when I think I have something Really Important to Say and demand silence before saying something that… is not so important.
Thank you. Happy Holidays! And I can’t wait to see you on January 11, 2010. (I am *loving* typing 2010. You?)
Much love, and appreciation,
Jess
Your multimedia content strategy
Effective websites make good use of multimedia. Video, audio, and presentations all keep your visitors at your site longer, help them be more likely to buy, and make them more likely to share your site with others.
BUT, we’ve all seen what happens when multimedia goes horribly, horribly wrong. Creating multimedia content is way too time consuming to dive in with no strategy. That’s where today’s audio comes in–I’m going to take you straight to the core of where YOU should be focusing your multimedia efforts in an easy-to-follow way. So listen with me. I’d love to hear your thoughts once you’ve enjoyed the audio!
Listen to Your Multimedia Strategy
(If you haven’t already, take the quiz. And, if you need the script instead, you can download the pdf. Whether you read or listen, make sure to leave your comments here.)
Why not throw in the towel
Long time, no see–I’ve missed you! I hurt my back right around the time of the last post and since then, typing or any sitting at the computer, has been cut to the bare minimum so that I could recover. Which meant giving up some of my very favorite things–like writing to you–so that I could make sure I kept my clients taken care of and projects on track while letting my body heal.
I’m finally starting to feel better, and though it’ll still be a bit longer before I’m back to my old self, I could not wait any longer to say hello. So, hello!
Today, I’m wondering why the heck you do a newsletter (or a blog, if you do that instead). Is it a way to “pay” for your readers’ attention and goodwill so they’ll feel indebted and buy from you? Is it a place to sell more stuff?
Or, is it a place to try out new ideas, ask questions and explore your field? A place where you can gather feedback and have a conversation with some of your favorite people?
Is it a mashup of all of this?
Or do you just plain do it because the gurus said you had to and you wish you could stop? Or, perhaps, do you do it because you actually enjoy it?
As we look towards changing the calendar and discovering ourselves squarely in 2010, I’d love to know what it is that motivates you to publish–why you do what you do. What role does it play in your business, this participating in writing great content and sharing it?
Now, I know you’ll “mean” to answer these questions I’ve posed. You’ll even give them a bit of thought. But today, I want to challenge you to write the answers down and, to make sure you take action, send your answers to me (either by email or as a comment on the blog).
I know this kind of reflection is challenging, but as you consider 2009 and map out 2010, determining the role publishing plays in your business will absolutely shape the way you approach your clients and readers. And, what’s more, giving some serious thought to your expectations, and challenges when it comes to writing a regular newsletter will help you expand your business and reach more people with your message in the coming new year.
So, tell me: why do you publish and how can you do even better in 2010?
