The Creative Process and Gulden Draak

Gulden Draak

The other day I was asked about my creative process.  That’s the first time anyone had ever asked me that.  So of course it got me thinking about my creative process.  The best I can do is chaos.  Sometimes its random and sometimes its planned.  Most of the time music is involved.  I like to be comfortable.  If I’m not comfortable I can’t create.

When I have customers over for consultations I want them to be comfortable so we can get down to creating something unique to your personal style.  Style is really about being yourself….having the confidence to wear what you want.

I can tell you that tonight is a Friday night.  I had a long week…So its the best time for me to  do what I want to do.  So I had to find some tunes.  Im going to go on a tangent…So brace yourself.

My Buddy @PDXBlazersFTW is a MAVEN.  He is a music Maven.  So as always I went to a mix tape that he sent.  And as always it was exactly what I needed.  This guy knows his tunes.  Tangent over.

I needed something to drink so I went with Gulden Draak.  I dont know if you guys have ever had this beer but is it heroic.  It is the official beer of Happy Hour Clothing.

Friday Night + Mix Tape + Gulden Draak = Creative Process

Good Night Ladies and Gentleman…I will catch up with you next Friday.

*Drink Gulden Draak Responsibly.  It carries a punch.  To find out more contact @CraftBeerNYC

I hit 2000 Followers this week…

Things have gotten so busy that i didn’t even realize that I had hit a personal milestone.  This Twitter thing is something fantastic isn’t it?  First and foremost I couldn’t have done this without you guys.  The Twitter community is the most dynamic group of users on any Social Media Network.

I commented last November when I hit 1000 followers and much has changed since then.  October, November and December were my most active months on Twitter.  I think I was averaging 2000 updates a month….it was kind of crazy.  I have since cooled down and taken a step back.  I have found that it is just as rewarding to listen.

To be frank I was really just understanding the potential of Twitter back in November.  The last 2 months have been spent cultivating  relationships and building business.  Twitter is truly a full time job if you want it to make an impact on your business.

The beauty of Twitter is that its Global and human beings are the catalyst…but that requires you to be on your toes.  That has been my greatest frusteration.  It is hard to stay on top of the Twitterverse…Some days I just need a summary of what went down.  Moreover, Twitter is an addiction…so I am also struggling with balance.

The road from 1000 to 2000 surprised me and has left me in Awe.  @Shoesmitten warned me that Twitter got crazy when you hit 1000 followers.  I couldn’t agree more.  I saw record grown in my business.  Twitter powers my blog and is my top revenue stream.  I cant keep up with the orders!  If Twitter is not a priority in your Business Strategy then shame on you.  So Twitter entrepreneurs keep it up and move forward….Twitter is a melting pot of innovation.

I have to stress responsibility.  2000 followers is a measure of visibility and reach…we all have an impact on our community.

Twitter Needs to be a Priority in 2009

Twitter is the most captivating social media platform on the internet.  I don’t know a place where you can network, socialize, build brand loyalty, educate yourself and directly engage prospects and thought leaders.   If Twitter isn’t in your top 3 things you do in 2009 then I would suggest that you rethink your priorities.

I had no idea what I was getting into when I registered for Twitter.  In fact I waited 6 months before I made a single entry.  My Brand Strategist told me to go to Podcamp Boston.  I heard @jeffisageek @Mikelangford and @gregverdino speak and…the rest is history.  I was hooked.  It took me a while to see its full potential but that’s the beauty of twitter…it has enormous potential impact.

I haven’t scratched the surface of twitter’s capability but I do know that it has immediate and long term benefits and it is a tool I can’t live without.

Cheers

Its time to Cowboy Up my Friend

I recently came across a post Is it a blog or website? on duct tape marketing that highlighted the emerging value of WordPress as a web tool. Users are utilizing WordPress’ capability as a CMS to bypass the technical expertise necessary to build out a quality site.

As an internet marketing consultant I talk to people everyday who are confused and uncertain on how they want to move their business forward in a web 2.0 world. “Should I spend money on a blog or should I consider building a high functioning website? Is there any way that I can bypass doing an SEO project?” The short answer is to be doing all of these things to position your business correctly.

WordPress lets the inexperienced and experienced test the web 2.0 waters without breaking the bank or driving themselves crazy. And now with the emergence of third party developers the sky is the limit on what WordPress can do.

Web 2.0 is more than just blogs, widgets, social networking and podcast. It has become a mentality and a way of life for the masses that spend a majority of their day connected to the internet. I have personally thrown around and heard web 2.5 and web 3.0. So what are you to do if you just mastered text messaging and the concept of an RSS feed blows your mind? All you have to do is change your way of thinking and web 2.0 will follow.  The best way to test any idea is to just do it.  Jump into the unknown.