Interesting/amusing Seth Godin interview(s) by Hugh Macleod

OK, so any interview of Seth is interesting and amusing.

Hugh recently had a ten question interview with Seth that I found worth reading more than once. They discuss spreading ideas, blogging, books, and more.

I also uncovered this previous interview I had somehow missed or forgotten. Among other things, he says the word most commonly associated with him is: " is "bald" followed by "slightly annoying" (which is two words, but who's counting.)"

He's one of the more creative business minds out, and since we tend to agree with each other I like him even more. Seth also appears in my next book, What No One Ever Tells You About Blogging and Podcasting, due on the shelves in a few weeks.

Free Business Cards for Skype Users

VistaPrint has a special - free business cards for Skype users.

Under a similar "free" promotion (didn't even pay shipping), my daughter got her first biz cards literally today, and they look pretty nice. Our pediatrician also uses VistaPrint reports my wife as I blog away.

Me? I seem to already have a lifetime supply of bizcards :) And as a Luddite who lives in a rural (i.e. unreliable highspeed Internet) area, I'm not currently a Skype user -- but probably will be soon.

(thanks to Bob Cargill for the tip)

Two for a nickel, three for a dime

The earliest entrepreneurial activity I remember was selling seashells to tourists with my cousin George.

"Two for a nickel, three for a dime," was our pitch as we displayed our wares, moving up and down the beach from person to person. We'd easy make a few bucks in an hour or less - a fortune for 5 year olds.

Wait, "two for a nickel, three for a dime" makes no sense! Why would anyone buy a dimes worth when a nickels worth was a much better deal. Why not just buy two nickels worth?

But most people bought a dimes worth!

I realized then that emotion sells. Logic and common sense had nothing to do with it!

I also learned you need to ask for the sale. Approaching and asking specific people worked wonders, while just displaying seashells was a bust.

I'm slowly relearning what I knew as a child . . .

Blog Shopping Carts - Websites too

Electronic Shopping Carts

To sell things online from blogs or Web sites, you pretty much need an electronic shopping cart.

One of my most popular recent posts on my other blog is on shopping carts, with some explicit recommendations: Blog Shopping Carts

Viral Video

Imagine making a viral video, one people tell others about A LOT, and posting it to a free Video Hosting site like the YouTube.

Many thousands see it and love it. And what if it's selling and promoting something? You get rich, you have a hit, you become famous?

Here is a fabulous video, Tribute To The Greatest Song in The World.

Are they musicians? A new sit-com? Two guys with two much time on their hands?

I'm so outta touch with popular culture I don't know, but they rock!
Thanks to Large John Blogs for the heads up.

Create Your Own Holiday

Did you know tonight is National Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor's Porch Night?
And my birthday, August 4th, is "Work like a Dog Day?"

You can create your own holiday. Actaully, March 26 is create your own holiday day, but you can do it any day. So, pick a day, holiday, and register with Chases Calendar of Events.

Why? Shameless promotion. You can then issue press releases, hold press conferences, etc. and drum up awareness and maybe business for yourself.

And journalists read Chases looking for story ideas. If you started the holiday, you'll be listed as the reference and they may call you.

Hmmm, August 15, the ides of August, "International Blogging for Business" day? Think it might sell a few books?

The Average Book sells 500 copies

The Average Book sells 500 ONLY copies! Amazing!

Blogging for Business, far from a break-away best seller, beat that it the first week. Hopefully my next book will sell more than 500 copies before it's actually printed - prerelease copies are selling through Amazon and Barnes and Noble online.

That all said, if I wrote a book and only 500 copies sold, and maybe only 50 copies were actually read (most books sold are never read) I'd be happy if the right people read it.

But everything being equal, I'd rather sell a million copies. Or even 15,000 - considered extremely good for a business book.

audio, video, text - different learning styles

We all have different and preferred learning styles.

For example I love to read - I have piles of books and will hopefully reading one within a few minutes.

I also love audio - I often listen to informative audio while driving, biking, mowing the lawn, etc.

I do NOT like video. It's not like reading -- it progresses at it's own rate. I can't watch faster or skim easily like text and it demands total attention unlike audio.

Others have different preferences.

When developing info products, it's very reasonable to have the info in different formats, for example audio and text. I am very happy reading a book AND also listening to the same info, perhaps in an interview format, while driving in my car. Others would rather watch a video with equivalent content.

Actually, eggheads (OK, actually scientists - people wearing labcoats and carrying clipboards and PDAs) have found that different formats work better for different people. Maybe I don't just prefer audio and text - maybe they prefer me as well!

Package your stuff in different formats to get the widest distribution for your ideas and help the most people.

Internet Business Manifesto

Rich Schrefren's Internet Business Manifesto (email required) and his follow up Missing Chapter are causing a lot of commotion and discussion on the Internet.

You can also check out his blog here

Both are worth reading. Quick summaries and commentary follow:

Internet Business Manifesto Summary:

The Internet is still the Wild West & there is still time to carve out your niche.

You need to be strategic as opposed to opportunistic. Most people are opportunistic, jumping from one activity to the next, trying to do everything themselves (impossible or at least impractical)

Doing the same as everyone else, but just a little bit better, is NOT a strategy!

To work less, and make more money, you need to stick to one niche so you can cross-sell, upsell, etc. to your audience and provide them (and you) with more value.

Internet Business Manifesto: The Missing Chapter Summary

There are many people struggling and failing online.

A Web site does NOT equal an online business.

The business you start, like the person you marry, is critical!

Use your strengths to differentiate your business.

No, I don't believe Rich really "forgot" his missing chapter info, but his presentation was well done. He's sold out his coaching program. He's probably sold out his cheaper (maybe $400/month program). Who knows what he'll offer next.

It's been interesting and informative watching this whole thing unfold!