“You can buy attention (advertising). You can beg for attention from the media (PR). You can bug people one at a time to get attention (sales). Or you can earn attention by creating something interesting and valuable and then publishing it online for free.” –David Meerman Scott, Best-Selling Author & Speaker

Content is cool. What is even more cool than that, is content that doesn’t seem repetitious or dated. Staying current with trends in both worlds (Social Media and Planet Earth) helps you stay relevant, and if you stack the deck carefully, you may find that over time you learn more than what you are offering to others. Contrary to popular belief, no one (not even the Sourcers’ Apprentice) can know “everything about everything” and the promo-god himself knows that sometimes a little help is in order. By keeping your content current and exciting, you are begging the readers and those who interact with you to get involved in the “scene”; to re-tweet, re-pin, and re-post your content and spread your message. This type of “promotion” is not a bad thing, especially if you stay true to the facts, and provide points which will create conversation.

Conversation is also cool. The gathering of minds on many of the So-Med® programs is just awesome, especially if a rather random thought becomes the basis of a new blog or article- that is the ultimate form of flattery. As stated rather well last week, many thoughts have been used before, and that over time ideas are re-used and modified to appear new; If you look at technology, how many gadgets are put out by different companies that share the same basic principle? The same could be said for blogs appearing on more than a couple of sites at a time, or someone over-extending themselves socially, and opening accounts on more programs and sites than you physically have time to monitor (google analytics®, anyone?). This is a mistake that many So-Med® “experts” make many times while looking for decent “traction” for their ideas. Who actually comes up with the method, over time, may be forgotten- but the idea…now that is where all the “money®” lies. Originating an idea is good- just remember to share, and don’t be too upset if it appears in the last place you expect…All good ideas over time rise to the top.

Back up your words with action! If you begin to build a community around a certain idea or ideal, and it doesn’t catch on the first time, try again. Take a cooling off period, regroup and relaunch-> Everything old is new again after a little time out of mind and memory. The better plans never go away for too long-> just remember your new three word mantra “Content, Content, Content”. Try not to beat a particular idea or program into the ground; meaning don’t spend so much time posting and re-posting the same idea five times an hour hoping for coverage-> people look at that as “spamming” or advertising or something which can be ignored because you are acting like a ‘bot. Whenever I visit my favourite pages, I look for originality. Whenever I use my favourite So-Med® sites, I follow the ones who provide originality more than those who post ads from the newest online catalog, or leave a link and no message in the comments section. Advertising has its place, just don’t blatantly hide behind it in every activity you do online. Grow the community with fresh ideas. Tell people about the new sites and programs, I have a few in the back of my mind that hopefully I will share with you over the next few weeks.

If content is to be looked at as King; then the awesome few who speak up in agreeance or against a particular point are the royal court. Stay current, spend a couple hours daily monitoring your activities. Plan a blog schedule ahead of time and try to stick to it (life happens, just remember what has brought you to the game.) Personal Branding comes with good content, The better the content= a better brand. You want the masses to see you coming, provided it is in a good way. Link with other like-minded people and create the type of stuff that can move mountains. It is all possible if you want it bad enough.

Now the ball is in your court…Who is up to creating some awesome content? Let me know…

I AM The Sourcers’ Apprentice

The Daniel J. Smith

©2012 thedanieljsmith