I have "WhatToPost" Syndrome

I suffer from "What to post" syndrome. I sit down to post and my mind suddenly is a blank. I forget what I do for a living...I forget what I like, what ignites my passion, what clever and witty things I talked about with my clients, friends and family that day. I finally walk away from the computer and immediately become the witty, inspired person I know that I am. I Rush back to the computer and...yep, you guessed it. My symptoms return...
I sought help on Chris Brogan's blog.  As I knew he would, he came through for me. Just what the doctor ordered! I'll share his tips here for my fellow syndrome sufferers:

How to Blog Almost Every Day

October 10, 2009 · Chris Brogan

I put up a blog post (almost) every day, and sometimes, I put up more than one a day. On top of this, I write for clients, write for other projects, work on books, and other things. Some of you don’t have all these other writing commitments, but still want some ideas on getting more writing out the door. Here are some thoughts into my process that I hope will give you a framework for writing a blog post (almost) every day.

How to Blog Almost Every Day

1. Read something new every day. Need a starting point? Try Alltop. (Hint: read something outside your particular circle to get new thoughts).
2. Talk with people every day. I get many of my topic ideas from questions people pose to me, or through conversations.
3. Write down titles and topic ideas in a notepad file. ( I’ve given you 100 blog topics and another 20 blog topics just to get started.)
4. Maintain a healthy bookmarking and revisiting habit. I use Delicious.com
5. Find 20-40 minutes in every day to sit still and type.
6. Follow an easy framework. Here are 27 blogging secrets to start you on what I mean.
7. Get the post up fast, not perfect. You can edit if you have to, later. Perfectionism kills good habits.
8. Dissect other people’s posts to understand what makes them tick. The more you understand of HOW they write, the more you can take the best parts of it into how you write. (hint, my 27 blogging secrets post gives you my patterns.)
9. Find useful and interesting pictures. I use Flickr photos licensed under Creative commons for most of my photos. This helps me sometimes get a great photo for a post I already have in mind, but it also gives me post material sometimes.
10. Think about what your customers and prospects need. I write from the perspective of the communities I serve. Every post is aimed at something I believe will be helpful to my community in some form or another. This focus takes some weight off my worries about what I should write about or not. I write about what my community needs.
11. Mix things up by sometimes blogging on paper first.
12. Mix things up by writing guest posts for sites that aren’t like yours. This gives your mind new formats to think about. I did this recently as part of a project and I loved it.
13. Mix things up by changing the lengths of your posts: some long, some brief. Learn what makes an impact how.
14. Never worry about throwing up the occasional “best of” post, once you get enough material. Example: here’s My best advice about blogging.

It's not going to be easy to kick this thing. I didn't get her overnight and I won't be cured overnight. However, I am grateful to Chris (and others) who truly help us frustrated, well intentioned bloggers. I aspire to get well and get posting!
Wish me luck
P.S. If you have more tips please (!) comment!!!

GREENING your business

If you are an owner of a small business, you may be interested in knowing that you can make your small business green easier than you think. Using the following tips will not only save you energy costs, but will help the environment. Go Green! 

by Steve StraussSteve Strauss, MrAllBiz, author of The Small Business Bible, also writes for USATODAY.com

Here are a few simple ways to make your business greener and save some money at the same time:

Around the office: Yes, those funny squiggly bulbs (called CF bulbs) really do make a difference. Sure they cost a bit more, but they are supposed to last up to 15 times longer. Other simple steps include reusing packaging, packing peanuts, and turning old file folders inside out. Even better: Each of these green steps save money.
Reduce paper use: Consider getting a printer that offers two-sided printing (called duplex printing). By doing so, you cut your paper costs, and paper consumption, in half.
For instance, I recently did some work with Brother and was impressed with a printer that automatically prints on both sides of the paper (the MFC-9840.). It was also Energy Star certified, and fast. How easy, and green, is that?
Also, of course, buy some recycling bins, mark them, and use them.
Install timers and motion sensors: By automatically having lights and computers go off when not in use, you can save lots on energy costs.
Buy green: No, green products are not cheaper, but by the same token, these days, they also should not be more expensive since demand for them has reduced prices. You might also want to check into purchasing green power from your local utility.
Buy Energy Star products: The Department of Energy Energy Star certification means that you know the product you are buying is highly energy efficient, and again, it shouldn't cost any more.
Bottom line: Going green has never been simpler, or more affordable.
______________________________________________________

Here in our own community (Eugene, Or) we are fortunate to have organizations like NextStep Recycling championing the green campaign! Please check out their website www.nextsteprecycling.com

Also, have you heard about one our most informative and fun networking groups, GreenLane?
Check them out:

http://greenlane-sbn.org

(they have a facebook group too!)

Then there are our friends at Green Solutions Printing headed up by Daniel Swantek: www.printgreen.com

(also on facebook)

And, last but not least - go visit Julie at Bring Recycling:

http://www.bringrecycling.org

http://www.youtube.com/BRINGrecycling

http://www.facebook.com/BRINGrecycling

Have a green day!

Denise

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-strauss/making-your-small-busines_b_191544.html

Client of the Week!

YAY! My favorite part of the week - I get to talk about the wonderful talented people I work with and give them a little plug...
This week I want to talk about The US Gymnastics Academy
The U.S. Gymnastics Academy (USGA) is a locally owned company. It all started with a dream of helping a former Olympic coach create a world class program right here in Eugene, just as he had done before in his home country of Bulgaria.

The facility is amazing and the coaches are top of the line. In fact, the head coach, Rosen Manilov, was the Bulgarian Men's Team Coach for the Sydney Olympics.
At the USGA children always come first. The aim is to develop in students a positive self-esteem by instilling the values of good sportsmanship, self discipline, respect and accountability.
programs range from "Mom & Me" and Pre-School classes to training Elite athletes, Personal Instruction, Tumbling and Home School Classes.

NATIONAL GYMNASTICS DAY

September 12th is National Gymnastics Day around the country. USA Gymnastics has for the past several years teamed up with Tyson Foods to support fitness for children and to raise funds for the Children's Miracle Network. USGA will be celebrating National Gymnastics Day on Sunday September 13th (Duck Football on the 12th!). We are hoping to have an exhibition at one of the local malls and to raise funds for CMN.
We will give you more details as we have them firmed up.
For more information visit www.eugenegymnastics.com

Fridays At Five

Summer has been awesome in Eugene and our networking group continues to thrive. Smaller groups mean more intimate discussions and the ability to ask for very specific referrals. We have enjoyed meeting new local tavern and wine bar owners and can't wait to visit the new sushi hot spot at 5th street market tonight! PURE! Sonny, the owner, is not only gorgeous (love the sparkly eye shadow - she should be on America's Top Model!!) but the food is outrageous and they obviously put a lot of work into their comfy space.

Please comment and suggest locations - criteria: LOCALLY owned, beer and wine served, and enough space for us to sort of "take over". Most places aren't that busy right at 5pm so this works in our favor. Believe it or not, I have only met two business owners int he 10 months we've been doing this who hadve said no thanks....WHHHAAATTT?!??! Are they Nuckin' Futs?! Why would you not want between 15 and 40 business owners coming in and spending money at your establishment? Some want to charge us for space...Id on't htink so.
Anyway - let me know (or my trusty assistant, Ashley) if you know of a spot for our group.
Here are just some of the FABULOUS spots we have visited Which was YOUR fave??):

The Broadway
Noli's
Campbell House Inn
The District
Billy Macs
Ratatouille
The Boulevard Grill
UVA
The Loft
Winestyles
Lavelle Winery
Sam's Place
Hop Valley Brewery
Midtown Lounge
Soriahs
Jo Feds (R.I.P.)
Lucky Noodle
B2
Ring of Fire
Oregon Electric Station


More to come!

Cheers

D :)

Client of the Week!

I am on a roll...and it feels good! This whole appreciation thing is working for me! I have always considered myself a happy and positive person but I am realizing that that was more of a persona than the person. I am done lamenting about what I don't have and have really started to focus on what I DO have. It is such a happier place...

One of the things I am truly grateful for are the supportive and brilliant clients who allow me to contribute to their ongoing business development. I appreciate that a person's business is near and dear to their heart. It's not just a service or a product but a dream for their family, a journey they have committed to. My clients are small business owners who truly inspire me.
This week the Client of the week is Brooks Brush Clearing. I cannot say enough about the integrity and commitment that Mark and Julie Brooks bring to every job. They love their work and they love their customers. Julie is one of those people that you instantly want to be friends with and Mark is so committed to doing the right thing no matter what. They have a lovely family and I am honored to work for them. For more information about Brooks Brush Clearing go to www.brooksbrushclearing.com.
Look for more appreciation and gratitude (is that redundant?) right here!

Lorraine Kerwood

There are so many times where I am moved to tears....sometimes it's a bit embarrassing - for instance, I have been known to cry at Safeway openings (new jobs and fresh produce has that affect). The truth is, I'm an emotionally connected woman - emotionally connected to my work, my love, my family, my clients, my friends and occasionally a reality show or two. I can't help it...It's just who I am. However there are also truly fabulous moments that not only move me to tears but stick with me forever. I believe I experienced one of those today when Lorraine Kerwood was awarded the Woman Business Leader of the Year Award. The nominees and finalists were amazing - truly women I look up to. But Lorraine is one of those individuals who is so focused on others and on her mission that during her acceptance speech she actually used that platform to recruit from a room of 158 business owners - She asked us to create a mentoring program. You had to be there. Fabulous.
Congratulations, Lorraine. Well deserved. Well done.
Please go to Youtube and search nextStep recycling and watch Lorraine's story as documented by the Vovlo Hero award.

Fridays At Five

This weeks event is at The Loft - the absolute coolest new Piano Bar in Eugene. Owned by Kate Boney (yes, the very same restaurateur extraordinaire who owns Turtles, home of the best house salad in America!).
Don't miss out on the most fun, laid back and effective networking group in the Eugene/Springfield Area. We are businesses supporting each other...every week we ask how we can help our host as well as the lucky businesses whose cards gets drawn in the drawing. We can' t help you if your card isn't in the bucket!
Check back here every Monday for a full report on who was there, what they said and what happened.