The Montana Creative Collaborative

The most affordable way for small business to get on the Internet: CMS

My business these days is almost entirely from small businesses looking for a website. Nothing unusual about that. But most of these businesses already have a site - kind of. Actually what they have is an online brochure. And an old one. Typically they have way to edit what's on their site. The original developer left town. And he took the keys to the key marketing vehicle with him.
That's why I'm recommending using a content management system (CMS) for the revised site. CMS puts the site owners in control of content, whether or not they want to schedule regular updates or not, at least they can change stuff like their hours or staff info - whatever - as they choose and aren't held hostage by a mysterious web designer.
I'm using Joomla but there are many others. I prefer Joomla because it's an open source program with a large developer community contantly producing free and nearly-free applications and complete web templates. Any of these templates can be customized to match a businesses needs and brand.
Here's a good intro video.

How to use social media to promote your freelance business for dummies (a.k.a, me...)

"Invite folks to your house and give them some dip..."

I've been an eager participant in some web-based communities lately - Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook specifically - exploring the awkwardly-named Social Media world. Mostly I've been a sponge, which wouldn't surprise many who know me: I know a little about a lot of stuff, mostly what I've absorbed from others.
But now it's time to process. I was spurred to action by a nifty video by Perry Belcher, below. It's a tidy overview of how to enjoy the "social" aspect of social media and help your pet cause in the process.

 Here's what I sponged from Perry's presentation: It's about inviting folks to listen, discussing common interests, stimulating ideas with unique ideas - or at least your take on someone else's' idea - and encouraging a community of like minds and common goals.
Oh my gosh, it's kind of what the Creative Collaborative is supposed to be! How about that...

Check out Perry Belchers web site, http://www.perrybelcher.net.

Reality Check by Guy Kawasaki

A Business Book Brief posted on Hulu.com. Kawasaki is an entrepreneur, venture capitalist and former key player at Apple. He's widely respected for recognizing, identifying and quantifying the hottest trends in marketing and business success. Here he reviews his new book, Reality Check, a compilation of his thoughts and writings on business.

Debbie Millman Reviews Lucas Conley's book, Obsessive Branding Disorder II

The current discipline and practice of branding is both obsessively fascinating and shamelessly polarizing. Because our lives are so entwined with brands, it has become difficult to distinguish between our beliefs and our brand preferences. From Apple to Starbucks, from Rachel Ray to Tiger Woods, corporations and individuals alike are immersed in a brand ethos. As a result, branding has become one of the most significant influences on both public consciousness and the contemporary visual environment and it is a fiercely debated subject. Debbie Millman blogging at Design Observer

I've not read Lucas Conley's book but I can guess at its content. People are conflicted by the rising power of brands. But I also think people sometimes overstate this "new" power of brands as all powerful. Brands can't convince you a bad product or service is good. A brand is only as good as the fulfillment of the promise. Does a Nike product let you down? An Apple product? Starbucks? For me, not often if ever.

Of course, those corporations exercise total control over the experience. [Starbucks maybe less so. Is that airport Starbucks delivering on the promise? Maybe not...yet, in most cases, it's still the best experience at the airport! It's the only refuge in Salt Lake City, quick, friendly service, familiar quality. Denver? More options but still a refuge, topped only by Wolfgang Puck's and New Belgium Brewery - both "brand heavy" experiences that live up to their promise.]

So how do you brand a state, city or town? The experience is nearly impossible to control and the "clientele" (tourists) is infinitely diverse. Towns and cities have a shot. Las Vegas does it well. But wander too far off the strip and the brand promise starts to falter. And do the residents of Las Vegas embrace the brand promise?

"Talent is Overrated"

Loved this interview on Charlie Rose about Geoff Colvin's book, Talent is Overrated. (And what a relief I don't have to read the book now...)
Mr Colvin reviews studies on high achievers and affirms the effectiveness of hard work...duh. But it's not just about putting in the hours. It's about cultivating what Colvin describes as "deliberate practice."
He does say it's easier if you start earlier - bummer. But you can still effect dramatic progress with deliberate practice. The "ten year rule" applies to those who most all who achieve world class ability - ten years of daily practice.

Quick reference to get set up on LinkedIn

...the "why bother" is still up for consideration. There's a link for thoughts on that here too.

Social sites light a fire under my bottom line?

Not yet. I've spent a considerable amount of time configuring and then figuring out Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. But what I've got now is a (mildly) flattering collection of my bios and thoughts. I was looking for a dialog and a venue for folks flirting with such ideas to connect, learn and pass along a morsel or two.
But the jury's still out. I'll give it some time to grow. It'll be a nice case study anyway.

Here's an interesting blog post on the perfect collection of SoMe sites GrayMatter