Blogging 101

Blogging 101: Be a Good Neighbor

by Em Are · Sep 24, 2014

Today’s goal is to work on being more engaging with the community I am writing to. It’s one thing to write to the interweb, It is quite another to interact with the community. One of the most unexpected outcomes of this exercise is being made aware of all the good writing and story telling that is going on out there. Not to say that some of it couldn’t use a little help here and there, but for the most part, people who are taking the time to try and improve the quality of their blogging really do have a knack for the written word. As I have looked at the blogs of others, I am finding truly engaging blogging in the most unexpected subject matters and geographical locations, in a variety of styles.

Over the past week I have looked at many blogs, some brand new and evolving, some established with a following, some that are just coming back to life after a hiatus. I have left a couple of comments here and there, even added my own updates to the Blogging 101 assignment page. Let’s take that one step further an engage. A well thought out comment, an interaction with a stranger via one of their most personal outlets, putting myself out there. Possible rejection. Possible acceptance. Potential rewards.

Okay, so let’s do this.

One of my fav food blogger sites is Minimalist Baker. Your first visit will hook you if you’re into food in any way. The layout, the photos, the way they engage with their community. and better yet, their blog is built using the Genesis framework for WordPress. That is near and dear to my heart as I am concentrating my WordPress development on this framework. It good to be inspired by professionals who care.

I found Grove Hill Coaching today while browsing the Blogging 101 links. Actually I got to that site through another one of Jason’s blogs – CORTADO INGLES. What initially pulled me in was the reference to coffee, and Sunday morning cafes, and espresso. As an admitted coffee freak I am uncontrollably drawn in that direction, so when I saw the link, well, need I say more.

In a totally different direction I came across the Metamorphosis of a Wallflower. Not typically what I am drawn to, but Valentine’s Owner is developing a unique style and anyone who can move forward on a topic of procrastination deserves at least a little listen. Right?

Hmmm. That’s it. Well outside of my comfort zone today. Perhaps this, too, is a new opportunity for me. A way to engage not only with other blogs, but new potential markets for my business. And learn. Always learning. You can teach an old dog…

I Am Happy With The One I’m Using Now

by Em Are · Sep 19, 2014

Missed a couple of assignment days in the Blogging 101 course I’m enrolled in. Life happens. Priorities change. People adapt, or at least I try to. The assignment for today …

Today’s assignment: try out at least three other themes — even if you’re happy with the one you first chose. Try one you’re drawn to, and one you would never use.

I am happy with the one I’m using now, else I wouldn’t be using it, right? For you techie types out there, I’m using the free Illustratr theme offered by wordpress.com. I was drawn to it initially after seeing a blog post about it a few months back. It is minimal, focuses on what I have to say, doesn’t distract me with sidebars and widgets and social media links and about pages and contact us and, well, you get the point. It is designed to show off a portfolio. I don’t have a portfolio, but it felt right.

That being said, I am in this course to help me expand my perspective and learn new things as a blogger. Learning new things as a blogger is helping me to learn new things as a blog designer and web site developer, so it appears that it all feeds back upon itself. My whole premise is to “explore new opportunities” as they present themselves to me. I need to shake up my status quo since it really isn’t doing it for me in the recent past. Okay, so let’s look at the other options that are out there, ones that I may have considered, and ones that I would just pass over as not even the remotest of possibilities.

I first looked at the Eighties theme, well, just because that was a very formative decade for me, having just graduated college, starting working full time, getting out on my own, royally screwing up a couple of relationships, meeting my forever partner. But that felt so out of touch right now. Cross that one of the list. Sketch is a newcomer with possibilities, but not quite the look I wanted. I realize that the preview for it is a little cutesy, but some of the sites I’ve seen using it have done good things. Then I came across Writr. It felt right. It is minimalist and responsive, but with more options for a little flair and individuality. Taking this course, I’ve looked at so many blogs in this past week I know that I’ve run across someone that is using it. Not trying to copy that person, but something made the images and the layout stick in my mind.

So there you have it. I settled on the Writr theme, a free theme developed by Automattic. It uses some of the colors I like and I might as well give the old avatar on the screen a try for a while. Business entrepreneurs need to push the branding all the time. I try to use the same avatar / profile pic on most of my social media accounts. This theme even asks me about my social accounts and auto connects them for me. Another plus.

A new opportunity, and it’s only 10:00 am here on the east coast of the US. I still have the entire day ahead of me to see what comes my way. Met with a new business client prospect yesterday. Submitted a proposal. Maybe, just maybe … well, one day at a time.

Thanks for hanging in there today with me. Enjoy the weekend.

Blogging 101: Say Your Name

by Em Are · Sep 16, 2014

So that is today’s assignment on the blog challenge. It is a little more specific than that though. I reads:

Today’s assignment: edit your title and tagline.

But what if I already like the title? Okay, so the tag line is/was a little lame. I can change that. A brief period of soul searching brought me to what you see up there now. “The next adventure awaits. Will you walk beside me as I explore it?”

That sums up where I am right now. I am working through the opportunity that is in front of me. I think, no, I know, that my prayers and those of others, have brought me to this point. I can do this so long as I keep my focus and stay confident in my skills, both technical and interpersonal.

But even more than that, I’ve come to learn that no one goes it alone. You don’t succeed, or fail for that matter, all by yourself. You need help along the way. Being a remote worked for the last 11 years or so, I thought that I was more or less on my own. In actuality, I had a team around me that I could reach out to. It was not someone at the next desk, or in an office down the hall, as you might find in a more traditional office, but rather, someone at the other end of a phone call, or an instant message, or a text.

Now, as a solo entrepreneur, I realize how important that extended team, or support network is to success. There is no corporate office to call into, to visit once a month, no co-worker to IM about something funny I just heard, or to bounce ideas off of. I need to build that structure for myself, to find compatible minds to engage with, to provide feedback to, and ask for the same for myself.

This new opportunity is a journey of discovery on so many different fronts. I am delighted that you are here today, reading this, considering whether or not you want to come along with me to explore it. I could use your support. I promise to return the favor.

Blogging 101 – Let’s try this again – hiccups and all.

by Em Are · Sep 15, 2014

The business is moving forward – Cap Web Solutions does exist. I am starting to talk to more and more people about it everyday. I hit a little hiccup last week. My wife’s company informed her that they were doing away with the team she’s been a part of for more than 10 years and that the remaining three people working on that team would be let go at the end of the month. Ugh! She is getting a severance package that will hold us over for a little bit, but now the big question facing us is, do we continue down this path of me starting a new business, or is this a signal to hang a “u”-y and go back to the corporate world?

Time to re-group. What am I doing? Why am I doing it?

Writing here occasionally has become a bit of a stress release, a way to get my thoughts together. Something about seeing them written out on a page in front of me makes it all more real. Since talking about the concerns has never been a strong point of mine, maybe writing will help me reach out and interact with others. I have been reading a great deal over the past few months, more than I have in quite some time. Reading about starting a business, about social media marketing, about blogging, Twitter, Google+, and Facebook followers, and how to engage them as a business. I have been reading through more technical books and blogs than I can count. My programming skills are improving – it is somewhat like riding a bike – I never did really forget how to do it. Just need to blow of the dust.

I want to write about it, but not quite sure where to go with it. I’m also considering blogging as a substantial part of the service I offer as Cap Web Solutions. Blogging as a mechanism to share knowledge, provide resources to others and create a curated space for targeted information. Not quite sure I’ll be able to maintain both of these writing outlets, along with the delivery of the WordPress service and development that will be my primary focus.

I think that this blog will be more about the journey through the start-up maze, with the goal of engaging with others who may be on the same type of journey, or who may be thinking about going on it. Not so much a how-to but more of a “let’s walk together” and see where it goes. I certainly can’t consider myself experienced in this, so a how-to is really off the table, but an ongoing commentary of my way-points, now that may work.

Doing this publicly will make me more accountable. I think? Knowing that I made a commitment to do something on a regular basis (weekly? bi-weekly?) should help me focus and make time for it.

I did start a new habit last week that is continuing. I have been meditating and praying each morning. It’s been 8 days now and I’ve been consistent. I’ve heard that it takes 30 days to change or create a habit. We’ll see how it goes.

Today I’m starting a 30 day blogging course to help me get this habit flowing. I’m looking forward to the challenge and the progress. I think that these two new habits I’m trying to create in myself will help me process the issues that my wife and I will face in the coming months as she travels the unemployment jungle, as I have for the better part of the last two years.

If I can still be here in a year, writing regularly, engaging with others, I will consider it a success. A success, because if I am still here, on this journey, I am still on a path to live my dream of supporting myself and my family as an entrepreneur.

Let’s roll.

Add New Post – Hmmm….

by Em Are · Jul 9, 2014

“Add New Post” can be an intimidating prompt to see at the top of a blank editing panel in your blogging software. You can scour the web for helpful hints and tidbits on how to get past that invitation to build your platform. You can read books, listen to podcasts, talk, yes, actually verbally communicate with other human beings, to get insights and motivation.

Me, I decided my energies were best served with a book I recently came across: Michael Hyatt’s Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World (affiliate link). Mind you, this wasn’t my first go-round on looking for inspiration. I did try all those other sources, and came across some wonderful nuggets. Btw, I’ll use that term, “nuggets”, a lot on this blog. It’s how I refer to things that I pick up when I’m in a learning environment, which can happen almost anywhere. But I digress. Michael’s book stuck with me, and I can’t even remember who to thank for bringing it to my attention. First I borrowed it from my local library, and then decided to purchase it so I could mark it up. Although written in 2012, eons ago by today’s social media standards, it did provide me with a relevant “step-by-step guide for anyone with something to say or sell” as advertised. You’ll see references to it throughout my site and you will notice me taking full advantage of Mr. Hyatt’s invitation to use his ideas.

I do have something to say, which I will do on these pages, and something to sell, which I will do on the other pages of the site. Here, I’ll offer my thoughts on WordPress, web site administration, the strength of procedural repetition, interesting things I come across – some scary and some funny (at least to me), small businesses and virtual workplaces. It seems like a big list, but I want to make sure I’m not misleading anyone by going off on an unexpected tangent. I’ll probably even throw in something coffee ‘n cap related at times, since those two topics are top of mind for me almost all the time (pun intended).

Come back and visit from time to time. I’m planning to post some tidbits here once a week. See if you can pick up some nuggets. Subscribe to this blog, or maybe even to our mailing list. Let me know what you think. After all, if I’m going to have a blog, it’s only as good as the folks who visit it, and read it, and share their thoughts on it.

And we’re off.

All the best to you,
Matt