I’m starting a new series of posts called Q&A (the other is “How I work“). I get questions via email and online forums every day and I think many of you could benefit from them.
via Zazzle.com
Question: Has anyone here had much success with contests and using them to promote your blog? I started one about a month ago and haven’t had a huge response. I’ve primarily been advertising to my Facebook friends. Don’t know if I’m making it too hard or if people just don’t trust contests–thinking there’s a catch?
Answer: Christine (not their real name), I’m not a big fan of contests and here’s why. I think it seems easy because you can drive traffic (sometimes) but then the traffic doesn’t stick. It’s sort of like having a 50% off sale at Christmas. It doesn’t make me a loyal customer, just a bargain shopper. I won’t come back unless you have another sale (contest). Contests aren’t a good way to make people stick. Now running a contest for CURRENT followers/readers is a great way to build trust and value. It’s just a lousy way to GET followers in my opinion.
The alternative way to build followers/find clients is to do it the old fashioned way by reaching out to people you can help, offering sound advice and creating content consistently (even if no one is listening). The reason I tell clients to write and create content (videos, products etc) is that someday people will be listening and you’ll have a library for them to come visit full of helpful information.
When I coach businesses on building followings I never encourage “promotions” to gain followers. Instead I tell them to provide consistent value and real human interaction. Those things create relationships that will last long term as well as attract the kind of people you want as clients/customers.
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Jennifer Selke
Psychologist, University professor, Camp Director; Which one do you think has the most influence on the world? Jennifer Selke is all of these things so she is uniquely positioned to tell us how she influences others and how she helps shape the future Linchpins of the world. Hear about how summer camp, Linchpins and Seth Godin connect…
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Running Time:
36:59
Find Jennifer at:
Jennifer on Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/jennselke
Jennifer’s Site – http://jennselke.com/
Jennifer’s Blog – http://TheCampDirector.com/
If you have some thoughts on this episode you can:
- Call in feedback to 605-610-UASK (8275)
- Email me at Feedback@LinchpinPodcast.com .
- Leave a comment by clicking on the title of this episode and looking at the bottom of the page.
Click to purchase
Every single week someone asks me via Twitter or email what software I use to make my screen casts. The answer is Screenflow. Below you’ll find a 15 minute quick and dirty tutorial on its capabilities. I made it for a client who wanted a quick preview of its capabilities and I thought it was worth sharing with you so you can see the power of the program.
I actually used Screenflow to record itself and make this tutorial. If you’d like to purchase the program after watching the video simply click on the logo in this article. While some people are turned off by the fact that Screenflow is a Mac only program I can assure you that this program is so powerful that it makes purchasing a quality Apple computer worth it simply so you can use this program. On top of that I believe that Apple makes great hardware but combining their computers with this software makes owning a Mac an easy decision.
A quick 17 minute flyover of Screenflow’s capabilities. I hope it helps.
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Megan Elizabeth Morris
Linchpin meetups were launched with much fanfare earlier in the year and they got a great response. Megan Elizabeth Morris and a few other cool folks turned their meetup into a bonefied “shipping authority” that is birthing new art that will change the world. From a rooftop in Austin, Texas they’re connecting, helping, shipping and encouraging. Hear how they started, how they stuck together and what their community became.
Other show stuff:
Shipping authority – Critical mass to get stuff done.
The best kind of networking groups.
More about passionate people sharing than people sharing passions.
Seth teaching bald head maneuver. – Sorry, couldn’t find the video 
Leave a comment in the notes if YOU do.
“Linchpin jive” – lizard brain, indispensable, tribe, the resistance.
Linchpin evangelists – a new framework for sharing the message.
The point is to do something…to ship
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Right-click here to download the episode or listen on your mobile device
Running Time:
53:50
Find Megan at:
Megan on Twitter – WorldMegan
Megan on Twitter – IdeaSchema
Megan’s Biz – IdeaSchema
Show Links:
Austin Linchpin Video
The Austin Linchpin Meetup Group
The Austion Linchpin Wiki
Kickstarter.com
If you have some thoughts on this episode you can:
- Call in feedback to 605-610-UASK (8275)
- Email me at Feedback@LinchpinPodcast.com .
- Leave a comment by clicking on the title of this episode and looking at the bottom of the page.
