Daniel Johnson, Jr.

… they buy WHY you do it.

That’s one of the main points I’m getting as I’ve started reading Simon Sinek’s book Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action.

Most businesses, organizations, and people start with WHAT they do, then they *might* get to HOW they do it, but few really can communicate WHY they do it.

Sinek says that many businesses have no idea why their customers are their customers and why their employees are their employees. There are two ways to influence human behavior: you can manipulate it or inspire it.

The transactional mindset of manipulations include the following: “dropping price; running a promotion; using fear, peer pressure or aspirational messages, and promising innovation to influence behavior – be it a purchase, a vote, or support” (p. 17).

These manipulations are not necessarily bad, as long as you understand they only work for the short-term, though. For example, while shopping, if I’m in transaction mode, all things considered, I’ll probably look at price. Then I may think about quality.

The other, more effective way, Simon argues, is to (more…)

Cover of Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?

I did it! I finished Seth Godin’s book, Linchpin:  Are You Indispensable? (affiliate link)  I’d heard about it through a number of podcast interviews and at a local book discussion group, and I really had this one down to read this year.

This book scared me. I started reading it and put it down for awhile. Then I got a notice (more…)

I’ve known Debba Haupert for years, and I’ve been a fan of what she’s done in building community through Girlfriendology.com.  I’ve often mentioned what she’s doing as I’ve spoken around Cincinnati about personal branding, social media, and blogging.  Those of you in Cincinnati and beyond who’ve met Debba in person know what I’m talking about.

She understands friendship – not just online but in real life.  She is one of those people who just stands out from the crowd, through her business and volunteer work, her efforts in building community, and her heart for people in general. That’s why I really wanted her to speak at New Media Cincinnati, and she did a phenomenal job last month. Read more about that here and here.

Earlier this week I learned that she just published an eBook, and I’m so proud to be an affiliate: GIRLFRIENDOLOGY 101: Simple Steps to More Fulfilling Friendships

Hang on a minute, you say. You’re a guy, recommending I buy an eBook about female friendship. Isn’t that weird?

I don’t really see it that way.

You, like me, probably have women in your life who would love to be better friends, right? Buy this eBook and give it to them.

Some other reasons to buy this book:

• Learn 5 benefits of female friendship
• Answer the question: Aren’t guy friends the same?
• Find out 7 ways you can be a better friend
• 5 Steps to forgiving a friend and saving the friendship
• 3 Great ways to make your friend feel as special as her friendship is to you
• 5 Girlfriend traditions you can start with your friends
• How girlfriends are like ‘shoes’ – and you need lots of different kinds of them
• Find out the one female friendship ‘thing’ not covered on Girlfriendology.com
• Between now through March 16, 2011 midnight ET, get 50% off with the promo code: GF101

Whether you buy Debba’s eBook for these reasons or to just say thanks for all the work she’s done, I believe it’s well worth the money spent.

Congratulations, Debba!

Related articles

• Community Builder Debba Haupert to speak at New Media Cincinnati in February 2011 (danieljohnsonjr.com)
• Community Building Tip (newmediacincinnati.com)
• YES!! A Cincinnati area networking events calendar! (newmediacincinnati.com)

Cover via Amazon

You… are a professional communicator, parent, family member, teacher, friend, or just someone who wants what you say to be remembered. But, you ask, how do you do that, exactly?

MADE TO STICK

In their book Made to Stick (affiliate link), brothers Chip and Dan Heath describe their journey of analyzing messages that have stuck with us. They looked at urban legends, proverbs, and other forms of communication that people across history have been able to remember.

They have been able to identify six characteristics of messages that persist. They even came up with a handy, sticky acronym to help us remember them: the SUCCESs. (more…)

Geez. It’s October already.

For three years now, I’ve been organizing events for the in-person social networking community I founded called New Media Cincinnati. We actually have the October event coming up this weekend.

My approach in getting the word out about these events has changed over time, from sending multiple direct messages to followers, to using Facebook as the medium to plan and organize the events.  For awhile we even had a wiki set up. I thought I’d share some of  my current approach to getting the word out.

An approach to event marketing

In 2008, I began using Eventbrite to organize, plan, and run the monthly events, which have become known as New Media Cincinnati Second Saturdays (mostly because people always wondered when we met). I’ve enjoyed using Eventbrite, and I’m not ashamed to recommend them (and for you to use my affiliate link!). (more…)