How to be a better Blogger using Twitter, Linkedin, facebook

Over the months of my blogging, I have occasionally posted articles documenting my experience as a newbie blogger. I did this as a way to share my learning. This post continues the story and and at the suggestion of Blogger.com, asks for something as well: please follow my blogs.

Here is my experience since my last update:

• About a month ago I decided to stop the emails to friends and family telling them to check out the blog posts. Now I only promote online. I am sure they are relieved :). It was a scary day for me however. And a surprising thing happened: visits to my blogs increased.
• Promote on facebook (http://www.facebook.com/) in a couple of places: on my 'Status' and in relevant groups. This is a great social network site with more emphasis on the social.
• Promote on Linkedin (http://www.linkedin.com/) in my 'Status' area and in relevant groups as well. Linkedin is a more business-oriented network. I have received the most response here. The comments on the blogs and the direct communication is generally more well thought out. Plus, I have expanded my network because of the email exchanges. I strongly recommend linkedin.
• Twitter of course (http://twitter.com/). This is a bit of a 'Push' network, but I always see an increase in blog visits when I tweet a new post.
• And most recently, I have found Ping (http://ping.fm/). This site is still in beta, but it allows you to update all your networks with one post. I currently use it to post to twitter, facebook and linkedin. I like the one-stop approach and heartily recommend this.
• I stumbleupon as well (http://www.stumbleupon.com/). This is in my browser toolbar and is an easy way to say 'I like it'.
• I submit my articles to digg (http://digg.com/). Gives me additional exposure.
• I submit my posts to Zimbio as well (http://www.zimbio.com/). I used to publish to my own ezines, but now I submit to various others. This seems more effective.
• I have increased my blog roll on each of my blogs. I ask for a reciprocal link as well.
• I post comments on various blogs that interest me. I post with my name and blog URL.

All of that sounds like a lot of work. It is but it actually takes about 15 minutes after I post new material. And with ping.fm, I can update twitter, linkedin and facebook with one post. This is much more efficient.

And now the next step, working to increase my followers. Please check out my three blogs and if you see something you enjoy, follow me. Here are the blogs:

• http://mykalsreport.blogspot.com/
• http://giraffemarketing.blogspot.com/
• http://realjamaicancooking.blogspot.com/

Thanks for your support

A true Jamaican favourite: Oxtail

Oxtail...a very flavourful favourite that goes well with

Rice and Peas

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 lbs. oxtails, already cut up
• 1 14 oz. can of broad beans or Lima beans
• 3 green onions chopped up
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tbsp. salt
• 1 tbsp. black pepper
• 1/2 tsp. allspice
• 1/2 tsp. paprika
• 1 cube of beef broth
• 3 tbsp. vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp. fresh thyme, chopped
• 2 tbsp. soy sauce
• water
  

Method:

• Season oxtail with salt, pepper and paprika
• Heat oil over medium heat, in a large, non stick pot and brown oxtails
• Add garlic, onion, and thyme and sauté for another 2 minutes
• Lower heat, add enough water to slightly cover the food and let simmer on medium heat for about 30 minutes
• Add all other ingredients, mix well, cover, reduce heat to low allow to cook for another 30 min
• Serve over rice and peas with lots of gravy and enjoy.
  
  
  
  
  

Mstrkrft on Jimmy Kimmel March 18

My wife Sally and I were in our home office this morning with our first cup of coffee. We were settling in for the day when we received a call from her very excited brother, Ed. He was buzzing with excitement; we had to put him on the speaker phone! His news: his son, Al P (http://www.mstrkrft.com/) was going to be on the Jimmy Kimmel Show March 18! Check out this link to the show that notes the appearance next Wednesday: http://abc.go.com/latenight/jimmykimmel/index?pn=upcomingguests#t=0

Sally and I will not miss the show next week! His parents plan to PVR it.

The phone call this morning reminded me that true personal happiness and success can be found in a simple phrase, "Follow your passion!". As parents of 4 boys and mentors to numerous young people, we have given this advice repeatedly. Sally and I recently retired from the corporate rat and are now following our true passion of living and working together. We wish we had done it sooner.

I wish I had met Al sooner as well. About 8 years ago, when I did meet him, he had his own recording studio in the basement of his parent's home. He recorded some material for me for a pet project (a late night stream-of-consciousness radio show). He even had me record some spoken word material for a musical project he was working on. I could tell then that he was living his passion. I should have gotten his autograph then.

We get so distracted don't we. We let intrusions get in the way of what we truly want to do. Al, thanks for reminding me that it is not too late to get on the right track.

We'll be applauding next Wednesday.

A really cool marketing promotion from T Mobile

This video is making the rounds on YouTube. It is an excellent example of how to create an event to promote your product and get consumer involvement. I have included the link to the video below as well as the 'how it was made' link.

The actual event: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exkfGhz-YsU

The making of video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVFNM8f9WnI

What is the coolest part of this is that I received the video from my sister via email. I was so impressed with it as an innovative marketing activity, that it inspired this blog post. Then I twittered it, posted it on facebook, linkedin and other sites. I helped promote it.

I am sure T Mobile thought through how the event would be spread via the internet. They get it!