Podcasting for Five Years

72 - 5 Year Birthday...
Image by eyeliam via Flickr

Five years ago today in the wee hours of the morning, August 22, 2005, I released the very first episode of the Journey Inside My Mind podcast. I still vividly recall the hours that led up to it: downloading and learning Audacity, recording it and editing it and posting it online.

So much has changed in five years: the website, the webhost, the frequency, the music, the tools.

I don’t even really know how to mark such an occasion with this podcast, which only recently was revived.  Ido plan on recording an episode to commemorate this event. I’ve received a few comments from others. You’re more than welcome to submit something if you’d like. E-mail an mp3 file to daniel [at] journeyinsidemymind [dot] com.

crossposted to journeyinsidemymind.com

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Make the tools fun again

In January 2002 I started my first blog. I’d read about Blogger for a few years and thought it was time to look deeper and see what I could do with it. I’ve been an introspective person for much of my life, so when it came time to come up with the title, I called it something that would signify the purpose for which it was created. I’d been journaling since I was in high school, and I saw blogging as an opportunity to do that. I named the blog “Journey Inside My Mind”.  It was a scary title. Even now, it still scares me a bit. What will I find there? What will others find there?

Even so it was fun. I remember the enjoyment I got out of figuring out how to get certain things done with the tool. I learned how to change my template, add features, and even had fun spilling my guts and letting the creative juices flow. I recall impromptu posts where I’d create a poem from scratch.

In 2005 I learned about audio blogging and started listening to podcasts. I learned how to collect podcasts in a single location to listen to as an alternative to the radio, customized for my personal listening experience. Ever since I was a kid, I thought I’d love to be a DJ. I also learned how to create audio blog posts and eventually spent many hours learning how to create my first podcast episode.

Five years ago this month, I released the first episode of the Journey Inside My Mind podcast. I recall many nights of sleep those first months, in which I found myself thoroughly enjoying the creative process of putting together an online audio program that others might listen to. It was a natural outgrowth to experiments I’d had with cassette tapes back in high school.

Not long after, I settled into a routine, a weekly schedule, and produced the show. It was fun, experimental, and I felt a lot of freedom.

Over time, I learned more about what other bloggers and podcasters were doing, and I imitated and drew upon that knowledge. I refined my production process, I did some behind the scenes work to improve SEO. I refined the program to work toward a standard format.

But eventually I began to feel more constrained, and producing the podcast became more of a chore. I knew I’d need to allot a certain block of time to get it done, and sometimes I began to wonder why I would do it at all. I didn’t have a large audience, and I wasn’t getting a lot of feedback. Even though I often felt like I was doing it more for other people than for myself.  So I lost interest, and last December, I put the show on an indefinite hiatus so that I could focus on other things that I felt had more importance.

Seven months later, I’ve rekindled that enjoyment for producing that podcast again. Last night I found myself doing more experiments with Audacity, just like I’d done five years ago.  And I later recorded the first episode in the next stage of the Journey Inside My Mind podcast.

The point of all of this? Maybe you’re not into podcasting, but Twitter or Facebook or some other tool has gotten boring to you.  Maybe you’ve stopped using it. Maybe there’s a blog that has been collecting dust in the corner of the internet.  What new life can you breathe into it?

Make the tools fun again. Retool and rethink. Change things up. Make your own game. Make them useful to you. Let your passion show.

I don’t know how long this stage of the Journey Inside My Mind podcast will last. I just know it’s fun again.

Personal Branding vs Online Anonymity

Mitch Joel has an intriguing post entitled “The Next Big Thing Online Could Well Be Anonymity“. One of many things that stood out for me is this statement:

With all of this personal information that we’re publishing online, people still have a need/want to speak anonymously.

The post made me think about the drive toward more anonymity and how it seems to differ from the concept of personal branding. Mitch did a fantastic presentation about personal branding at Podcamp Toronto some years ago, so that’s probably why I began thinking this way.
From the personal branding perspective, it seems that the more you do to build your personal brand by sharing and putting content out there, the better off you are. You’re more authentic. Build your brand by share content about yourself.
Over time you get a certain reputation and have generated some level of credibility.  Yet at the same time, in a manner of speaking, you can be put into a box:
  • The SQL report guru
  • The social media strategist
  • The video guy
  • Mr. Approachable
But what if the person wants to re-tool or change his or her brand up? It’s not as easy for someone to break out of the mold. Some are certainly better at it than others.

Margo Rose recently asked me for what thoughts I had on future trends in social media. I’d already sent my reply to her email, but I could have easily pointed her to Mitch’s post if I’d read it beforehand.

More Now that we’re all connected and have the ability to share as much about ourselves and the world around us, should we? Already many, including me, have taken steps to reclaim some of that privacy.

What do you think?

Bio for Daniel Johnson, Jr.

Daniel Johnson, Jr.

Daniel Johnson, Jr.

Someone recently asked me to provide a short bio for myself.  I like how this turned out and am going to put it on my About page:

Daniel Johnson, Jr., from Cincinnati, Ohio, has been spending time in the new media playground for over eight years, working on various projects and connecting with others online and in-person. He has 13 years of experience developing solutions that provide information to help people do their jobs and make better business decisions.

As the Founder of the New Media Cincinnati social networking group, he organizes and runs monthly events where people in the Greater Cincinnati area come together to discuss how emerging technologies can be used for fun and profit. Daniel has spoken around the Cincinnati area about how social networking tools can be used in effectively building an online presence.

His super powers include making connections easily and bringing out the best in others, his contagious enthusiasm, and skill in explaining complex subjects in ways that are simple and easy to understand.

For more information, check out http://danieljohnsonjr.com/main/about

Media appearances

daniel-johnson-jr-vogue-PhotoFunia

Over the past couple years, I have had the privilege of being interviewed for my thoughts on domestic violence awareness, social media, and searching for a job in the 21st century.  In one case, I was asked to contribute an article to a newsletter.  I have put links to all of these, where available, on the Media page.

[photo credit: photoFunia]

Ten Reasons Why You Should Unfollow Me

Spare Me Your Reasons. Just Click "Unfoll...
Image by johnscotthaydon via Flickr

Welcome to another post describing how I use social media. In this case, it’s Twitter (again).

Any social networking tool you use should serve a purpose.  You need to make it useful to you.  I’ve found myself re-evaluating how I’ve used Twitter over the past three or so years and have made changes.  Maybe it’s time you looked at how you use Twitter as well.

The title of this post is meant to be somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but it’s also serious.  I believe that many people who follow me on Twitter might be better off if they didn’t. Your use of social media will vary from mine, and that’s okay.

So, without further delay, here they are:
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Ze Frank builds community by creating moments

Ze Frank invents the Web…
Image by wasabicube via Flickr

I first found out about Ze Frank about two or three years ago when I’d heard of other podcasters talking about “The Show“, a daily video podcast he did for an entire year. While browsing C.C. Chapman‘s blog a couple months ago, I saw a post entitled “Creating Moments with Ze Frank“. In that post was this video in which Ze shares several inspiring moments he’s shared over the years with people online. Ze is, as C.C. put it (and I couldn’t agree more), “a warped, twisted, comic genius mind that after watching this video I have a new found respect for.”

Spend an hour and watch this video of a talk he gave at Webstock earlier this year. Maybe watch and listen with headphones, as there are some explicit moments that are NSFW.

Ze Frank at Webstock 09 from Webstock on Vimeo.

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Milestones, media, speaking, and more

This week has been rather tiring, but I admit, it’s been exhilarating at the same time. Here’s an opportunity for me to “come up for air” somewhat, and provide a recap, highlighting some milestones and other media-related items.
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Should you like your own Facebook posts?

We like it and we say so

If you’re active on Facebook, you probably have noticed that when you or others post something, other people can “like” what you’ve posted, and Facebook gives it a “thumbs up”. It keeps track of how many “likes” a post gets, and you’ll typically see verbiage that reads, “John Smith likes this”. This feature of Facebook becomes something of a promotion engine.
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Three words for 2010

Over the holiday break I thought about where I’d like to be one year from now. As I mentioned on the last episode of the Journey Inside My Mind podcast, “Turn the page“, most of my work in using new media technologies has been highly experimental. I’ve tried things out just to see what would happen. I’ve begun a lot of projects with zeal and enthusiasm, and I’ve had to realize that I don’t approach them with the same amount of passion to make them the best that they can be. Two of the strategies for managing multiple online identities are to shelve or even trash projects/accounts/properties.

Author: I found in an old box some of my past ...
Image via Wikipedia

In many cases I haven’t cared about what others think as much and how what I’m doing affects others. I still believe, as Miles Davis (affiliate link) said, that “an artist’s first responsibility is to himself.” I also recognize that nothing I’ve done has been in a vacuum.
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Six Pixels of Separation – In Action!

Mitch Joel at PCB2
Image by chel.pixie via Flickr

Behold the power of Twitter.

I’ve been going to a book networking group for job seekers at the Barnes & Noble in West Chester for a few months now. Monte Washburn, who works at the bookstore, holds a discussion about books and how they can help job seekers. This week, based on my recommendation, we discussed Mitch Joel‘s new book Six Pixels of Separation (affiliate link).

Monday afternoon Twitter:
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Dealing with down days

217/365 - Don't give up.
Image by _mandrew_ via Flickr

crossposted to Get That Job!

Yesterday was a down day. I don’t think I’ve felt so down like this in quite a long time. It was quite an emotional day of dealing with insecurity, anxiety, stress, and self-doubt.

As I think back to what contributed to this, I can definitely see that, among many things, I was very tired from having overextended myself earlier in the week. In addition, I haven’t been as active physically lately. I’ve loved taking our dog for long walks and using that time to relieve stress and haven’t been doing that as much.

I think down days are good for us, and I’m grateful that I saw it as only temporary. When we’re in those down periods, it’s good to explore why we’re feeling what we’re feeling to see what we can do to get back up.
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Activate Your Super Powers: The Social Media Utility Belt

Speaking at the NKY OneStop
Image by danieljohnsonjr via Flickr

This past Wednesday I spoke at the Northern Kentucky Career Achievement Network (CAN) to a group of over 50 people, giving a workshop entitled “Activate Your Super Powers: The Social Media Utility Belt“.  Below are the slides from my talk.


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Podcast download numbers for How I Got My Job

I’ve been checking out the numbers for How I Got My Job episodes, and I thought it might be instructive to share what I’ve uncovered so far. This discussion will get a bit technical.


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The Digital Neighborhood

Dayton Tweetup - April 2009
Image by danieljohnsonjr via Flickr

I’ve been asked a number of times recently in the local Cincinnati community about how the different social networking platforms relate to one another and why someone would want to participate in any or all of them.

There are a lot of parallels to our online and offline lives.  Consider your presence online as participating in a digital neighborhood. It’s your digital neighborhood, consisting of all the places where you hang out. These analogies could probably be fleshed out a bit further, but go with me on this, okay?


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Mindmapping to Get Things Done

At the beginning of the year, I realized I needed a better way to manage my time and projects I’ve been working on. While I’m not patient enough to learn the system found in Getting Things Done (affiliate link), you might be.

Through some searching on YouTube, though, I found a resource I found was this video from the guys at Internet Business Mastery, talking about how they work the GTD process with mind mapping.


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Uncaffeinated buzz and fresh perspectives

A photo of a cup of coffee.
Image via Wikipedia

Much of what happens in the new media space is highly experimental; especially when new tools are released. Google Buzz came out last week, and we talked about it at last weekend’s New Media Cincinnati Second Saturday. There are a lot of things that need to be worked through, and there are certainly some promising things for it.
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5 Ways to Blog for Personal Achievement

.Visionary.
Image by .krish.Tipirneni. via Flickr

Note: I was recently asked to write a guest article for the Career Achievement Network, since they were about to open up their blogging and forums to every member.  I’m crossposting the article here as well, since from time to time I get questions about starting up a personal blog.

5 Ways to Blog for Personal Achievement

“Champion the right to be yourself. Dare to be different and to set your own pattern: Live your own life, and follow your own star.”– Lin Yutang

We’re drawn toward authenticity. Being yourself and communicating who you are effectively remains one of the main qualities of successful people. Online, one of the best and most effective ways to do this is through maintaining a blog.

If you’ve ever wondered what you might say, here are five examples to get you started:
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Social media douchebaggery

Megaphones
Image by djfoobarmatt via Flickr

If you’re a douchebag in real life, guess what? You’re an even bigger douchebag online because social media amplifies who you are.

You could be a real, genuine human being making an effort to be useful to others.

Or you could be an anonymous troll whose only purpose appears to suck air and tear others down.

Same is true from a business perspective. A lot of businesses are not ready for what social media can do because at their core, they are not ready for what social media will do.

As you think about how you might use social media, don’t forget your people skills.  Dale Carnegie was one of the best social networkers, even though he was around long before the internet. If you haven’t read How To Win Friends and Influence People lately (or ever), it might be time to pick it up. Use my affiliate link if you’d like or get it somewhere else.

inspired from my morning uncaffeinated buzz

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Comments policy for better community engagement

Social Media Breakfast Cincinnati 1
Image by danieljohnsonjr via Flickr

If everyone got along, the world would be a pretty boring place, wouldn’t it?

One of the great things I love about having a blog and using social networking tools is that they enable discussions to happen, so that I and other readers are able to see multiple points of view. I have often asked questions and set up open-ended discussions, just to see what others have to say.

It would be nice if everyone got along and viewed their comments as a way to add to the conversation. Yet, human nature being what it is, and the perceived anonymity of the internet being what it is, people can be downright nasty, not only to blog authors but also to others who comment.

Recent events have made it clear that it’s time for a Comments Policy on my websites. At the moment you’ll find a direct link via the top navigation of this blog, but you will also find it here. I’ll reprint it here, in this post, just so that you’ll read it at least once:
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The case for more local community networking groups

New Media Cincinnati Second Saturday May 2009 ...
Image by danieljohnsonjr via Flickr

In a recent interview I was asked if I was unwilling to promote other networking groups. It would seem some are under the impression that only a select can create community events.

The case for more local community networking groups

Now, if you’re active in the social media community in Cincinnati, you might be tempted to think that we’re reaching saturation and that the community cannot handle any more networking groups.
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So, where am I headed…?

Well, let me tell you… (click the play button above or download the short mp3 file (direct link, 1:53, 1.8 MB).

Background music: excerpt from “Baby Hates Me” by Danko Jones from Music Alley.
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Some books are worth buying

Some books are just worth buying.

It takes a lot for me to fork over some money to buy a book that I could just as easily check out from the library.  I do that a lot, with books, movies, CDs. I’ll try them out by checking them out from the library for awhile.
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Filled with Gratitude – 40 Years and Counting!

"Living on Earth may be expensive, but it...
Image by mr.KIO via Flickr

“Sometime in your life you will go on a journey. It will be the longest journey you’ll ever take. It is the journey to find yourself.” — Katherine Sharp

Today I complete another trip around the sun, another leg in the journey that began 40 years ago. I know we only have so many times to make this trip, and I’m grateful I’ve been able to get this far. It’s been an incredible year.

I’m thankful for family, friends, and acquaintances. I’m thankful to Mom and Dad, for producing me. I’m thankful for my brothers and sisters.

I’m especially thankful to God, without whom my life and the good you see in my life would be possible. Seriously. If you see something good in my life, it’s because of what He’s doing.

I’m grateful that I get to spend time with you in this journey.  I’m so grateful that I get to spend each day with my lovely wife Jennie, and my lovely daughter Keisha, whom I affectionately call my Dreamgirls.  They are indeed the most important women in my life – they are my Dreamgirls. They also have helped make me who I am.

And I know I’m just getting started.

Make it a great day!

Daniel Johnson, Jr.
Cincinnati, Ohio

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Uncaffeinated Buzz – A Poem

Need More Coffee!
Image by DrewOtt via Flickr

I posted this uncaffeinated buzz update at Google Buzz this morning. These exercises are a way of experimenting with the service.
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Building better relationships for fun and profit

Tonight I had the wonderful privilege to speak at the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Job Search Ministry in Anderson Township, here in Cincinnati.  They had approached me a few months ago and asked if I would come in and talk about effective networking.
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A couple more public appearances

Last week I mentioned that I spoke to a group in Anderson Township about effective networking, or, as I preferred to call it, building better relationships. A couple of other public appearances I’d like to tell you about – one this past Saturday and one this evening.
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3 Tips for a Great Start to the New Month

Welcome to the first of a new month!

Here are some tasks I do at the beginning of every month to help get it off to a good start. Feel free to adapt these as your own, as well as share your own in the comments.

3 Tips for a Great Start to the New Month

  1. Change your passwords. Email, social networking sites. Really any site that requires you to log in.  Also, don’t use the same password for each website. You can use a Password Manager program or develop your own system (I’ll have to dig around for the link to the guy whose process I use.). Depending on how many accounts you have across multiple platforms, this may be a little time-consuming, so be sure to set aside some time to knock this out.
  2. Archive and mark read all email prior to the beginning of last month. If you haven’t read it by now, you probably won’t. In GMail you can just archive the messages in case you need to find them later. I’ll keep messages from last month in my Inbox. Here’s how I do it:
    1. At the GMail search box, type before:yyyy/mm/dd (Substitute the actually Year, Month, and Day accordingly.) For this month it would be 2010/05/01
    2. Select All
    3. Mark As Read
    4. Archive
  3. Declare RSS bankruptcy. You probably won’t get to all those blog posts, etc., in your RSS reader. I use many for multiple purposes. Google Reader is one of my favorites. To declare RSS bankruptcy in Google Reader so you can start over:
    1. Click on the All Items link in the left sidebar
    2. Click the Mark All As Read in the main section.

There you go! Hopefully these tips will help you start your month off great. Please let me know your tips (technical or non-technical) in the comments below.

Make it a great day!

Daniel Johnson, Jr.

Teach me to fish

Angling with a rod.
Image via Wikipedia

A common proverb goes something like this:

Catch a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.

The point of this is that I can only go so far if you catch a fish for me every day. If you teach me how to fish so that I can do it for myself, then I’m good to go with or without your being around. I need to learn how to take care of things on my own.
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Pain, memory, and great service

No one ever gets admitted to the hospital because everything is going alright with them.  Similarly, most people don’t call technical support when the computer system is behaving superbly. Behavioral economists Daniel Kahneman and Dan Ariely have some interesting insights into how we can provide better service.
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E-mails with attachments tracked in Microsoft CRM 4.0

Earlier this month I asked a question to the Microsoft CRM community and my LinkedIn network about e-mails with large attachments set regarding an item forwarded through the CRM organization (By the way, LinkedIn tagline and position are really helpful in identifying who in LinkedIn you can ask a question to – subject of another blog post entirely.). I wanted a definitive answer I could tell our clients who ask these kinds of questions (they have).
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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-08-29

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Making book covers to protect books

Back in school we were required to make book covers for our schoolbooks. While there are a number of ways to accomplish this, the way we did it is with a paper grocery bag, as shown in the video below:

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-08-22

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-08-15

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