Book Review – Content Rules

January 6, 2011 by Raul Colon

I had the opportunity to see @cc_chapman talk live during the Inbound Marketing Summit 2010. I started following him since I was becoming a New Dad and he also founded DigitalDads.com a blog for Daddy bloggers.

About a month ago he launched his new book Content Rules: How to Create Killer Blogs, Podcasts, Videos, Ebooks, Webinars (and More) That Engage Customers and Ignite Your Business (Affiliate Link) which he co-authored with @MarketingProfs (Ann Handley).

After attending the Inbound Marketing Summit I got a better picture on what I had to do with my clients and myself on improving content.

Which took me to one of the key questions on “What Should I do?”.

The book Content Rules really answers that question in various ways:

Understanding what the right sort of content means.

Including Interesting Quotes or Lines I found in the book.

Think Acorns Not Trees

Information Annuity

Most content Obfuscates rather than Eliminate options.

Not hitting a Home Run every time, but if you hit enough doubles and triples you can win the game.

Importance of creating content as a cornerstone which also creates value.

If you think this book might not be focused towards your needs and clients think again I really enjoyed how they use the term buyer with terms that can apply to everyone:

subscriber
voter
donors
applicants
attendees
worshippers
new members

If you did not find any of the above terms to apply to your online efforts feel free to share but it pretty much covers most audiences (buyers) when creating online content.

I also really enjoyed the Case Studies included on diverse industries and companies that have been very successful in using content for their social media efforts.

If you want to get more insight on some of the terms I included in this post I highly recommend you to get your copy of Content Rules.

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Here is a great review for Content Rules from another Great Author Scott Stratten (@unmarketing) if you have not read his book [amazon_link id=”047061787X” target=”_blank” ]Unmarketing[/amazon_link] I highly recommend you to read it.

America Libre by @raul_ramos

December 26, 2010 by Raul Colon

I am not a big fan of Non-Fiction and I will not read a non-fiction book unless I can really relate to it and see some value to it. A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to interact with @raul_ramos via twitter. I was finishing Crossing the Chasm: Marketing and Selling Technology Project and was looking for a good book to read. My interactions with @raul_ramos actually made me make the decision to buy America Libre
on my ipad.

I was very impressed with how the book started and it really kept me interested in a way I finished it in approximately two days. I had not been able to engage with a book as much as I did with America Libre since I read Las venas abiertas de america latina/ The Open Veins of Latin America (Spanish Edition) approximately 18 months ago. Here are some points he covers I thought where very aligned with hispanics living in the U.S. and I am sure most of you can relate to it.

The Unification of Latin America was an inevitable destiny and it was possible. I think if we dig in many of our brothers who are working as immigrants illegally or not need to understand that if we unify we have the ability to reach bigger and greater things for not only for each latin american country but for every latino.

Identifying the original Illegal Immigrants by explaining how the Anglo aggressors took the Native Americans and Hispanic lands. They crushed hispanic societies and moved them to a position of servitude. He gives an example of the Battle of the Alamo. I think that our biggest casualty was the self-confidence of the people affected by the aggressors.

It brings the reality of eliminating spanish from the U.S. Government to leave the non-english speaking population out of anything government related.

I also had fun with a good mixing of religious beliefs from Catholicism to adoration of saints which is a good representation on what happens in many of our communities. We are so diverse we even mix religions without realizing it sometimes.

I think the most powerful line from the book for me was:

Flag waving distracts you from the real motives of the people in power.

The flag waving quote really struck home for me. Every 4 years Puerto Rico becomes a frenzy of all political parties waving flags like weapons with the objective of convincing people that they have to vote for their candidates. Just in case you think I am exaggerating I have seen how in many occasions politics get even violent and the flag staffs immediately become weapons.

In conclusion @raul_ramos did a great job in making other understand and helping me relate that as a latino living in the states you are a foreigner in your own country even if you served in the Armed Forces and where born their.

If you want to find out more about Mano and how an Ex-Army Ranger becomes a leader for the hispanic revolution feel free to buy @raul_ramos’s America Libre.

I highly recommend this book as a non-fiction book with the realities of many hard working immigrants in the states.

Can you relate to any of the points I have included above?

Have you read @raul_ramos’ book

Feel free to visit Raul Ramos’ Website

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10 Lessons in Social Media from @ricky_martin

November 11, 2010 by Raul Colon

Photos of Raul Colon Web Developer Puerto Rico — Photo from RickyMartinMusic.com

Yesterday I was having a conversation with a good friend @slayerkun about how celebrities are able to connect with the audience instantly and I was inspired to write this post.

I have always been a big fan of @ricky_martin and had the opportunity the last few days to read Me (<–Affiliate Link)

There was a huge gap where I disconnected from @ricky_martin from the moment he left Menudo until he launched his album Vuelve(<–Affiliate Link), after Vuelve can say I have been a fully engaged @ricky_martin Fan.

Ricky Martin’s music has been with me at good and bad moments.

Not only have I enjoyed the energy and passion he puts into his music I see him as a mentor to many of us. Having been in the spotlight for so long it is amazing how much he has accomplished while keeping a clean image and helping others.

Reading Me increase my admiration for him on his approach of not violating the privacy of others who might have hurt him in the past (it takes a great human being to be at this level).

By @ricky_martin sharing his approach on life and obstacles along the way, help me see his human side.
After reading the book I concluded that I can apply most of his lessons into my personal life but more importantly link the lessons to my overall presence including online.

10 Social Media Lessons from @ricky_martin’s ME

1. Clicking Send Can Release The Real You

Sometimes we hesitate when we have to send a message or publish something. Go with your gut feeling, as long as you are seeking your well being and the well being of others everything will be fine

2. What you tweet and what you are might not always be the same.

Some people hold multiple online accounts on the same platform some for private and others for public use. Others secure their twitter as if they had something to hide. Transparency is key online. If you post it online I don’t care what people say it becomes public. Just keep in mind that what you share publicly not necessarily has to be completely how you are. Make sure you keep sensitive topics private and off the web.

3. Plant Seeds now so You can Reap the Benefits Later

@ricky_martin has been building a community since he was a 12 years old. It all started in Menudo and he has continue to build his fan base.

So if you want to reap the huge rewards in life you have to continuously build and maintain your community online and offline. So don’t expect to have everyone engage in a few weeks or even months. Building Community takes time. I read a good line at my friend @mark_hayward’s blog yesterday by @hdbbstephen:Question: “When is the best time to plant a tree?”

Answer: 20 years ago

Photo By conbon33

4. Keeping your feet on the ground will creating awareness

He is able to reach out to his fans via twitter give him great reach without violating his privacy. Since he was a kid he has always been in contact with individuals who have not been as lucky as he has been. There are some great stories on how “Kiki” does very humble acts of kindness with the only purpose of helping. He gives a great explanation on why he created the @rm_foundation and how attaching his name to the effort is for the benefit of those he helps. (Learn more Donate to this great organization at http://rickymartinfoundation.org/)

5. Stay away from Religious Topics but help other be more spiritual.

He mentions various religions from the point of being spiritual and not the specific doctrines. Different to others he finds a very curious similarity in a few traditions amongst the biggest religions. Always steer people towards understanding their own spirituality.

6. Always being grateful for the gifts of life we have been granted.

He is very grateful of the people who have supported him. He also takes the time to thank one of my clients @doralbank for their support and join effort with the @rm_foundation.

7. Three Keys of Life Serenity, Simplicity, and Spirituality

No need to explain. Just find Serenity, Simplicity, and Spirituality the rest will fall into place.

8. Tune out the Trolls

@ricky_martin decided not to mention the people who have hurt him or tried too. I think this is a great move. Doing the opposite might have put the spotlight on those who don’t deserve the attention. Online we should do the same when people become trolls we should tune out and search for more positive frequencies.

9. Focus on things you can change and learn how accept the ones you can’t.

Personally I try to change and give my opinion on more issues than I should. On more occasions than I would like I end up wasting my energy on trying to help someone who did not want the advice in the first place. I need to focus more on differentiating what can be changed and what cannot be changed.

10. “A little sincerity is a dangerous thing; a great deal of it is absolutely fatal”~Oscar Wilde

We live in 2010 & thankfully we are a bit more advanced than when Oscar Wilde was alive but being sincere can take you for a spin.

The other day I was at a conference and it was funny how people did not like a presentation and criticized it. When the speaker approached them they told the speaker his presentation was great. I thought about this quick reaction on praising what they thought was wrong but in reality if they would have told the speaker his presentation was of no interest to the group, the situation could have gotten very ugly.

To stay away from similar situations I will focus on establishing relationships and community with those who have similar interests and stay away from those who don’t. That way I can keep my integrity and be as sincere as possible with those who can really value it.
Overall I recommend reading @ricky_martin’s book. I think if we can follow @ricky_martin’s lessons on how not too label people and simply stay away from negative people we can focus on the bigger and important things in life Serenity, Simplicity, Spirituality, Pursuit of Happiness, and in my case becoming a New Father.
What other social media lessons can we learn from @ricky_martin based on his online activity and years in the spotlight? Did I miss any?

Please Feel Free To Share Your Thoughts!

I’m a Fan for Smart Systems

July 12, 2010 by Raul Colon

My thoughts on a great post by @stevebaker

Smart Systems

Today I easily identified myself by reading my friend’s @stevebaker blog post on “Smart Systems, dumb ones, and privacy”. I read his blog posts on thethenumerati.net periodically although only in a few occasions do I comment in them. I started reading @stevebaker content while he was working at Business Week where I saw an article written by him describing his new book The Numerati. I had a difficult time trying to get his book here in Puerto Rico lucky enough that I had to travel to Washington, D.C. on business and found it at the Dulles Airport.

I would have never thought that by reading his book I would have the opportunity to contact him.

The Numerati Book

A few weeks after buying the book I saw that he had a contest (Contest: Find the hidden pointer in Numerati cover) on deciphering a code he had put in the book cover . After many tries and some Guidance from @stevebaker I was able to decipher what the code meant which landed me an extra copy of The Numerati. Ever since that experience I try to get to his blog thenumerati.net at least a few times a week to see what he is writing about. I have also bought copies of the book to hand out to my clients so they can see where we are going with data.

Getting back to where I easily identified with the article as an IT Governance, IS Security, and IS Auditing consultant I get many questions regarding privacy and emerging technologies. I see many benefits, but it becomes a sometimes impossible task (depending on who you are dealing with) for me to explain those benefits for most of these folks who are in the IT Risk, IT Security, IT Governance, and IT Audit field. I try to embrace technology and look for the benefits that each and every software or hardware brings me and my nature also makes me evaluate the possible risks that are attached to them. I could not have put it better than in the words of @stevebaker.

I’m for smart systems. I want Amazon to know my book tastes, the bank to give me loans based on my personal record (and not my general profile), most junk-mailers to understand that I would never buy what they’re selling, the electricity company to hitch me to a smart grid. I could go on and on. Privacy? Yes, it can be a problem, and we’ll figure out ways to deal with it. But these dumb formal systems are for the birds. | Stephen Baker

Once again he has helped me understand and explain some of the many benefits that emerging systems and technologies are bringing. As @stevebaker said these old computer systems do not know us. Just think of all the great opportunities that having open systems that know us can bring us.

Can you mention a few other that @stevebaker did not mention on his post?

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