I left a couple of comments on a site that I hadn’t visited in a while. I have cut way back on my commenting lately because I simply haven’t had time. I still believe that commenting is an important part of networking and promotion. I never comment for backlinks, and am not a big fan of many comment plugins that encourage spammers.

Another thing that gets me going is when someone tries to add me to their email list just because I left a comment.

The little check mark at the very bottom of that comment form is automatically checked “Would You Like To Subscribe To Our Blog”. Shouldn’t it read:

Since you are commenting here, we will subscribe you to our email list so we can send you emails!

After I commented, I received an email from Aweber asking me to confirm my subscription! First of all, I didn’t subscribe, second of all, I think I am already subscribed (but will probably unsubscribe), and third it is tactics like this that give email marketers a bad reputation!

Don’t fall for these types of tactics, it will only hurt you in the long run!

I have always been a big fan of Tweetdeck, at least over the last 2 years. In the last few weeks I have been testing Hootsuite, and I do like it better since the last update. I prefer an app that runs on my desktop over a web app myself. That is one thing that has kept me away from Hootsuite is that it isn’t available as a desktop app. But I have been testing it recently, and some of the features are really great, like the new themes and the addition of Ping.fm which Tweetdeck does not have yet.

One think Mike was mistaken on, was that Tweetdeck does in fact support Facebook Pages, but I won’t hold it against him since I know he uses Hootsuite more than Tweetdeck, and it was a recent addition.

Conclusion:

My verdict is still out on the two apps, I am still testing. Like I said earlier, I really like the addition of ping.fm on Hootsuite, but I prefer to have a desktop app. One other thing I like Tweetdeck better for is I can have only certain notifications on. I like to have my @replies notify me, but Hootsuite only offers notifications either on or off.

What about you? Do you use either of these? Do you have another favorite?

PS: Don’t forget to grab a copy of Mike’s 50 Tips To Boost Your Social Media. It’s free, and you don’t even have to opt in!

Demographics:

Yes, most bloggers are in the US according to demographics. But depending on your niche, these numbers may be different, I am looking at demographics for “bloggers” because that is who I market to.

As you can see from the image, by translating my eBook into German and Spanish, I could increase my market by 10%. That is quite an increase!

New Translation Service:

Until now, it was next to impossible to get an eBook translated without paying an arm and a leg for the service, if you could find someone to do it. All that has changed thanks to Mariam Cisse. Her new venture, V.O.I.C.E Media Publishing handles translation services for blogs and eBooks.  Her translation services are VERY reasonable, she is reliable, and she is even holding a “Grand Opening Contest” to give away free eBook translations.

Head over by clicking the image above and join the contest, check out her services, and help spread the word for this great contest.

She also has a great affiliate program for you affiliate marketers out there, so check that out too.

As I stated in the video, Mike Stenger will be back next week to do the weekly videos on Mondays, and I also have 2 new writers starting this week (wordpress Wednesdays has been canceled) so we will have a good amount of content on this site every week from here on out.

Wasting Time:

I have been vocal about it being time for me to get in gear with my plans for this site and for my personal blog, and sometimes I can let social media hamper my productivity. It is way to easy to spend hours a day messing around on Twitter or Facebook, and not get anything done.

It is also easy to become distracted with social media. If someone replies or mentions me on Twitter, I would stop what I was doing and see what the fuss was about, immediately stop! This caused me to lose my train of thought, and it would easily take me a few minutes to get back into my task. More time wasted.

Batch Twitter:

Now that I have been batching my Twitter usage, I have been able to concentrate on getting my projects completed. I finished Online Business Blueprint, and it is available for free on my personal blog now, I have also taken on doing a weekly video on SiteSketch101 every Thursday, and am redesigning and moving my main ecommerce site too.

I feel like this little change has made a huge difference in my productivity, but I am not saying that using Twitter is bad. I am just saying that I have to limit my time on it because I have so many other things going on….

Twitter:

This is, and has been, my favorite place for networking. Even though it has it’s problems at times I still prefer it to any other.

I am able to reach a broader audience using Twitter because I have just over 5k followers there too. (not saying that to brag or anything, because 5k followers really isn’t that much on twitter anymore) I have lists I use to track different people I want to keep up with. And I have made connections on Twitter that have turned into business relationships.

Overall, the ease of use and the number of people in my niche using Twitter makes it the best choice for me.

LinkedIn:

What? Not Facebook second? Nope, not for me. Linked in has proven to be the single best professional networking tool I use. I use it to network with people in manufacturing and wholesale for my product site(s).

I have more coming out about how and why LinkedIn works so well for real business networking, but it will probably be posted on my blog and not here since the focus on Keith Bloemendaal dot com will be products, marketing, and topics related to how I earn my living that way.

A simple story that convinced me that LinkedIn was a powerful tool that gets underused:

I needed a vinyl fence manufacturer to add to my site where I sell fence products, so I started joining some groups on LinkedIn related to that industry. I posted in the “jobs” sections a short paragraph explaing what I was looking for, and within a few days I had six manufacturers that met my requirements.

Try doing that on Twitter or Facebook!

Skype:

I am putting Skype as my 3rd choice, and even though it isn’t as easy to “network” using Skype, there are ways. I am a member of a private chat that includes 25-50 other bloggers. They come and go, but over the last 6mos I have made some great connections in that chat room, and am partnered on 2 projects  currently through those connections.

I also use Skype for all my US and Canadian calling. I decided to purchase a calling plan from Skype 3 or 4 mos ago, and if I remember right, it costs me $7-8 per month for unlimited calls (incoming and outgoing), which includes a local number for me to use as my phone number. I simply use the same headset I use for other Skype calls, and if I am away I can either forward the calls or use the voicemail feature (both are included).

I also use Skype for my consulting calls. It is a great way to have either voice or video calls with clients. My clients can also reach me anytime I am available through text chat on Skype.

Facebook:

Facebook is the last on the list for me. It really has nothing to do with the privacy issues, or other issues FB recently encountered. I just simply don’t find the same use out of it. It has become over run with Mafia and Farm games, which I just don’t have time for. I do use it to communicate with some personal friends and family, but that is mostly all I get out of it.

I do still think it is a powerful tool, and I have pages setup for HotBlogTips and for myself. I plan to try and use those pages to extend my reach. But I am not getting the same results as I do from Twitter for that purpose.

Discussion:

There you have it, my favorite spots, and why. What about you?

Since I have made 2 “ugly” lists this week, I thought it would be great to put out a positive list! (yeah, I know you want to know about these lists, so you can see them here and here). And, BTW I don’t mind being on either one of those lists!

Nicholas Cardot:

Nick is a close friend, and excellent blogger. His unique look at blogging is well documented on SiteSketch101. Nick is an infantryman in the Army, and has a beautiful family. Nick and I have partnered on a couple of projects that are still in development, and he has an excellent book, Blogging to the 3rd Power, which you can get in print or digital formats.

David Risley:

Dave has been an inspiration to me almost since I started blogging. I am a member of his Inner Circle (affiliate link), and will be on the Bloggywood Squares with him next week. He also contributed to my 4 Hour Sleep Week book. Dave is a straight shooter, and gives great advice on his blog. I have only been a member of the Inner Circle for a short period, but have already received a great critique of my personal blog. Dave is also a father and occasionally inserts images of his children on his blog.

Nathan Hangen:

Nathan is someone I discovered this year, and is one of those guys that refuses to give up. He has been a great help to me and we have networked through email and skype. I joined the Bootstrap Sessions last week put on by him and Susan Baker, and it was incredibly helpful to me. Nathan balances a very busy schedule and family somehow. I am looking forward to Bloggywood Squares with him Mike and Jordan next week (I am a guest on 2 of the shows). Nathan also contributed to my eBook, and has been extremely helpful to me as I find my way in this niche.

Darren Rowse:

I just received my copy of Darren’s ProBlogger second edition book in the mail yesterday, and I am already enjoying it. Darren was one of my first influences in blogging, as he is with many, and continues to work his butt off to put out great stuff! In his book he talks about balancing family and how he stuck to goals while working several jobs and going to school as he learned the ins and outs of becoming a professional blogger. Darren also contributed to my eBook.

Keith Bloemendaal:

Yes, I am including myself in this post. I am a father and have a beautiful 5yr old daughter, Avery. She is my inspiration, and I am her whole world! What can I say, daughters love their Daddy’s! Fatherhood has changed me in so many ways, and I learn everyday. Nothing makes me happier than to have her eyes light up as she screams “Daddy!” every time she sees me, even when the last time was 5min ago!

Randy Bloemendaal:

I saved the best for last, my Dad. He has been encouraging to me throughout my life. My Dad is also an entrepreneurial spirit, and I am slowly working on his blogging. His schedule doesn’t allow much time for writing, but I am hoping that the coming year will change that Happy Fathers Day Dad!

Happy Father’s Day!

To all the fathers out there, including my brother Randy, (yeah I got all the looks! ) I want to wish each one of you a great weekend. Keep the grills burning and the suds flowing!

Ready For Battle:

As I stated I have quietly sat back watching, observing, and taking notes as people are launching product after product. I am ready to jump in now. The wounds I see as others walk away, or duck into a bunker to regain their strength after a failed attempt at a launch into the battle are gruesome, but I am ready! I have my armor on, my sword in my hand, and I am in kill mode!

That might all sound rough, but that is how I am looking at this. I awoke this morning after being up late last night writing out some priorities, making tough decisions, and I am ready to join the fight.

Why Have I Waited So Long:

The answer to that is simple, but also complicated. I came into this niche 7mos ago, having been an internet entrepreneur for almost 2 years, and while I know I have the chops I wanted to watch, to observe. You see, that is how you educate yourself about the enemy before you go into battle. I have made some friends along the way, I have also made a few enemies. I am not going to war with those people though.

As I watched all these products being launched, purchased many of them and launched a couple of them myself I was gaining the knowledge I needed to make sure that when I did officially jump in to this battle, I would have that knowledge as my armor to protect me.

I know how to make a living online, what I wasn’t sure of is how to show you through a product. That was the training I had to go through for myself. Thanks to a few great products I have studied, a limited number of real people I have networked with, and my own previous “training” I am now ready.

The Bomb:

I don’t want to set off a firecracker, I want to set off a bomb! That has been a struggle for me internally. Developing this “bomb” will be a large task and will require a big portion of my time. But I know I can do it now. Work has already started.

As I mentioned, I have also been having internal battles that includes getting mixed up with the wrong people that exude negative shit, feeling I “can’t” do it, and overall lack of confidence in myself. I have eliminated the negativity and have surrounded myself with warriors. Those of you that I am closer to online know who you are, I don’t need to call you out. Thanks.

The internal battles are really the ones that give you the best ammunition for battle. They are the ones that let you know whether you are ready. I have fought with many of my own thoughts of having to come up with a unique product, having to do some big, special, out of this world launch, and if I was creative enough to do that.

History:

There is enough history now that I have studied for preparation. What I realized this week is that I don’t have to reinvent the A-Bomb, I just need to make one effective enough to do the job. History tells us what is working and what isn’t. I don’t need to make history, I just want to be a part of it.

Conclusion:

Developing the “bomb” will take time, and be a difficult task. But hitting the target will be even harder. I am up for the challenge. Are you?

It’s almost impossible, as described by the below video, for me to tell you how often YOU need to post. You do, however, need to find a balance.

You need, as described in the video, a balance between the two. Before you set a schedule as to how often you’ll post, think to yourself – “Will I be willing to write an article X often and put all the required effort into it?”

If you answer no, then rethink your strategy because otherwise, you’ll be on a rode to failure.

Shutting Twitter down has helped me tremendously with my productivity over the last several days. This is a catch 22 for me, because I love using Twitter to network, but at the same time I seem to waste a lot of time on it.

Limiting Use:

This week, I will be trying to limit my use on Twitter. I have talked to some other bloggers about this, and I have always been skeptical about shutting down things like email and social applications. Since I manage several Twitter accounts (mostly my personal account though), I use Tweetdeck and it is hard to not use it if it is just sitting there looking at me!

So, this coming week, I will “try” to use Twitter less, and get more work done. I have a lot of projects going, including one I just started today (Sunday), so I need to concentrate on them more, and use social media less.

Sometimes we have to prioritize, and this is one of those times for me.

Conclusion:

As I stated, I am a firm believer that using tools like Twitter can really help to keep and gain authority and an audience. But, when it seems to interfere with activities that actually involve money, then it is time to re-think the strategy.

First Night:

The first night will be focused on getting you past the fear of getting started pursuing your dream. The event will last 60min plus Q&A afterward. Topics for the first night include:

• Why failure doesn’t matter
• The #1 trick to dealing with fear
• How to deal with naysayers and critics
• Why you shouldn’t try to please everyone
• How to create a clear path of ascension

Second Night:

Same thing for the second night, 60min plus Q&A. The main goal for night two will be to “Bootstrap”! If you don’t understand the term Bootstrap, it really is simple to me, it is how you over come your fears and get started building something of value. Topics for the second night:

• Creating a quick business fund
• Build a business fund from scratch
• Make money right now!
• Create something worth selling (something you love)
• Turning your passions into a business

Get The Details:

Head over to Bootstrap Sessions for all the details, if you have a buddy to bring there is a nice discount. I think it is well worth the little bit of money for this event, which is why I am promoting it. As you well know by now, I don’t promote anything I don’t actually use myself, and this is no different. Hope to see you there!

PS: If you can’t make the times, they are recording it, so you can still get the video recording of the event!