Disqus - Latest Comments for davidcrandall

Re: TMBA474: “You’re Not Working With Clients Anymore, You’re Working With Customers”

David Crandall — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 11:16:02 -0000

I was also coached on the higher end push with the same logic of "would you rather have 2 or 6 clients for the same money". I bought into it but eventually have changed my mind. Clients can decide to leave for whatever reasons. If 1 of 2 leaves, 50% of your income is gone; but if 1 of 6 leaves, only 16% of your income is gone. Yes, it's higher money per client, but it's also higher loss per client. In the end, I try and streamline the parts that are "hassle" and focus on getting more clients.

Re: How to Add Highlights

David Crandall — Thu, 04 May 2017 11:43:51 -0000

Agreed!

Re: Have You Ever Considered Traveling With Large Computer Monitors?

David Crandall — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 11:55:20 -0000

I do the same. I have a MacBook Pro and the 12" iPad Pro. With Duet, I have 2 screens of roughly the same size. What I like is that together, they're still not really that heavy. I carry them both in my messenger bag which I bring with me everywhere. You kind of feel like a boss when you sit in Starbucks with 2 monitors...and no power cords!

Re: TMBA336: Matt Farah on Breaking Through

David Crandall — Tue, 17 May 2016 16:23:18 -0000

When I heard that this was going to be about cars I almost skipped it. I'm really glad I didn't though because there was some mind blowing stuff in this episode!

The whole part about the internet rewards quantity, not quality. It was something that immediately rang true and I could hold up to numerous things I've done/tried as well as seen others do. Made so much sense why trying to create "for TV" puts you behind the curve. Especially considering that expectations are not TV-level expectations; I don't go to YouTube expecting Game of Thrones quality. I think there is a time and place for those projects that you treat as your baby, but I also think there is more to this quantity > quality idea.

Now my brain is in 5th gear. hashtag car reference...I think.

Re: Exercise and ADHD - BrettTerpstra.com

David Crandall — Fri, 06 May 2016 11:29:34 -0000

Thank you so much for sharing! I have someone close to me who has ADHD and your posts have helped me to understand so much and to sympathize instead of getting frustrated because he responds different than I do. I really appreciate your vulnerability and sharing this!!!

Re: Your teenage rock band - BrettTerpstra.com

David Crandall — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 17:30:27 -0000

This might be my favorite post you've ever done! I love the nostalgic journey you take us through and then BAM!...the world is different now. So poignant and just highlights the fact that if we don't take advantage of how it is different, the fault is only our own. So well done!

Re: 10 things you should NEVER say during presentations

David Crandall — Thu, 12 Sep 2013 12:13:13 -0000

While I like the sentiment you are getting at (connecting as a human), saying those things does not do that. If you want to connect as a human, tell me something about you that makes me like you as a human like family, pets, hobbies, etc. Conversely, when someone starts with "I'm Tired/Nervous/Stressed..." all it tells me is that I'm about to hear a sub-par talk from them (i.e. no one performs at the top of their game when they are any of these things). While it may not bother you, I can assure you that it is an immediate turn off to a large number of people ESPECIALLY at a paid event. Unless I'm getting a portion of my money back, I do not want to hear that the talk will be less than I expected before it even begins.

Re: TMBA 204 – “Above the Fold is Dead” – 8 Design Tips For Non Designers

David Crandall — Tue, 13 Aug 2013 10:36:12 -0000

The olden days of the internet...where we assumed people would buy everything they see. AMIRITE! Ha!

Re: TMBA 204 – “Above the Fold is Dead” – 8 Design Tips For Non Designers

David Crandall — Tue, 13 Aug 2013 10:35:11 -0000

We can be like the hipsters: "I listened to TropicalMBA when it wasn't TropicalMBA. Back then it was underground and called Lifestyle Business Podcast...but us cool cats called it the LBP."

I refuse to wear the skinny jeans though.

Re: TMBA 204 – “Above the Fold is Dead” – 8 Design Tips For Non Designers

David Crandall — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 11:40:50 -0000

I only semi-agree with the "above the fold" comment. To the letter of the law - yes, I think the old school mentality of designing *everything* above the fold is gone. We are used to scrolling for additional information.

But that's just it; we're used to scrolling for *additional* information. Scrolling should be for lesser important things (e.g. archives), repetition of important things that may already be in the main menu (e.g. about page, FAQ), or more of the same: more blog posts, more sales page content, more status updates. It shouldn't be for new things of importance.

"Above the fold" still holds true for the most important content. Prioritized design should always be a consideration and the truth is, we still see what is above the fold first. No one would put the comments to their latest post at the top of their site and force visitors to scroll for the primary opt-in. Prioritize what your customer sees first...which is indeed above the fold.

Granted, a lot of this doesn't matter if you have no real business model. Medium, while a gorgeous site, doesn't yet have a business model so I wouldn't really use them as an example of design when discussing lifestyle businesses (I don't care what you're calling the podcast now...you'll always be the LBP to me!!! tear)

Overall, I mostly agree with a lot of the concepts mentioned today, but I just thought this blanket statement was a bit too large.

Re: Shadow Dreams

David Crandall — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 03:03:33 -0000

Thanks! Will be cool to have you read it. Looking forward to your thoughts on it. :)

Re: Shadow Dreams

David Crandall — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 00:44:56 -0000

I <3 this! Haha! Love the encouragement buddy!!

Re: Shadow Dreams

David Crandall — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 00:44:34 -0000

Thank you! Excited to finally have made an announcement and get such positive encouragement!! :D

Re: Shadow Dreams

David Crandall — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 21:58:55 -0000

Thanks buddy! A conversation I had with you back in the spring is what originally motivate me to actually start writing. Looking forward to your feedback and looking forward to your writing as well!!!

Re: Shadow Dreams

David Crandall — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 21:58:05 -0000

Looking forward to seeing what you think of your namesake. Bear in mind that I stole only your name...and personal experiences you may have in common with someone who sees shadow people is purely coincidental. Ha!

Re: Heroic Destiny – Volume 2

David Crandall — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 21:56:44 -0000

Funny thing is that I redid the design while the site was live so you got to see the "in progress" design as it came to life.

I'd debated for quite a while restarting the site and wanted to make sure that I REALLY wanted to write publicly on a regular basis again. Made sure the desire stayed for a few months and wasn't a passing feeling.

It was not a passing feeling. Ha!

Re: Giveaway! Tasty Drinks To Go!

David Crandall — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 14:02:56 -0000

I love this idea! I always get frustrated that I have to power drink before the gate.

My fav NON-alcoholic is plain old ice tea. :)

Re: Worst Scheduled Tweet Timing. Ever.

David Crandall — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 16:34:20 -0000

With Twitterfeed, yes...but not necessarily with Buffer. If I find an article I want to share, I often tweet it immediately but through Buffer because I like the analytics page attached to their URL shortener. You can "Post now" with Buffer.

Re: 10 Things You Need to Give Up to Be an Entrepreneur

David Crandall — Wed, 09 May 2012 00:47:28 -0000

I'm not sure I 100% agree with #4 either. I see what you are saying about value, but the drive to make money is what brought me to this mentality in the first place. In fact, moving past the drive and into an actual need is what kicked my ass into gear after hanging out too much with the kumbayapreneurs.

There is something about value though. And honestly, the money I've made has come FROM the fact that I can do something of value. So ideally, maybe the hybrid of this point for me is get rid of the desire to make money from anything that doesn't bring value.

And I'm with Johan...didn't get the shark/dolphin thing. Still...SHARKS FTW!

Re: The Customer Experience Super Powers

David Crandall — Thu, 03 May 2012 13:29:08 -0000

I love seeing other super heroes out in the field! Bravo. :)

Re: Episode #94 – 6 Financial Secrets of Lifestyle Business Ballers

David Crandall — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 11:04:47 -0000

I was super impressed with your response to Ryan about the website in a weekend. I thought the answer was honest and directed his (our) attention back to where it should be. The goal isn't to churn out bullshit over the course of a weekend (not saying that was his intent though) but to create businesses for our futures.

Honestly, I thought this answer was deserving of its own episode as I think the mindset his question betrays is prominent right now and one of the reasons people are frustrated with their assumptions of the entrepreneurial lifestyle. In fact, I'd might just like to hear more about why this mindset is bad, how to spot it when it is being sold to you, and why it doesn't work. You know...just sayin. ;)

And dammit, I'll use exclamation points if I want to!!!!!!!!!!! :) And smileys. Lots of smileys. :) :) :)

Re: The Only Pinterest Post you need to read. Seriously.

David Crandall — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 15:14:17 -0000

Pinterest is the most amazing thing to ever happen on earth. You're just dead inside. ;)

Ok, but seriously. I agree that the hype is crazy. I love Pinterest as a visual person and use it as a bookmarking tool now. I throw some of my stuff up there occasionally to see if it sticks, but mostly...it is just a guilty pleasure for me to waste time on. I love it. :)

Though, you realize...my first inclination was like everyone and to pin your stuff. LOL

Re: How to turn blog readers into brand advocates

David Crandall — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:07:31 -0000

I think you might be correct with the mega-brands you mentioned. Those are all things that people have extremely strong emotional ties to. I won't drink a Pepsi just because they linked to me.

However, there is a huge disparity between megabrands and bloggers with a lot of room in between. Fact is, there are very few brands that are as high on the food chain as the ones you mention. At the same time, I would venture to guess that while people are passionate about their products, most people could care less if those megabrands had a blog or not.

Consider Marcus Sheridan. He's not a blogger blogging about blogging. He's running a legitimate business and has used his blog to inform people and attract attention to his business. Customers that purchase a pool don't have the emotional tie to the brand (which is the case for the overwhelming majority of businesses). As such, anything to bring attention to his company (in a genuine way) helps his brand.

Bottom line is that yes, this strategy is fantastic if you are a blogging blogger. But don't be quick to dismiss it for a large number of other types of businesses. The example you listed were megabrands but I would say that most businesses can't claim that status...or anything near it. :)

Re: Prevent Your Blog From Dead on Arrival Status – Consider ‘Buy Now’ Blogging

David Crandall — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:21:28 -0000

I originally wrote a lengthy response to this that would have been a Pullitzer and Nobel prize shoe in. Apparently it was too awesome for Disqus to handle. Damn interwebz stealing my stuff!

I could now write about how coming up with the ideas is my weak point. How figuring out what that topic is to create the big product around seems to elude me. But you already wrote a post with 101 different ideas (well, really just 99 since it would be hard to do a big ticket item around the two identical ideas on how to follow Dan on Twitter. LOL)

Identifying the topic is my weakest point. I don't know if it is a mental block or just lack of experience. But I feel like I'm trying to think through a brick wall in this area. Your newest post definitely helps me have some guidelines in what types of things to think about. Framing it as a question helps!

Thank you for answering that reader's comment. I'm sure that they are not only devilishly handsome but think you are the boss! ;)

Re: 101 Monetizable Blog Topics

David Crandall — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:15:55 -0000

"Most blogs are going to fail" - True dat! Have you thought about writing an extensive list of specific topics people could blog about?

Oh wait...YOU DID!

Awesome! These are great. My first thought was to wonder if some of these topics would hold my attention long term but I remember what you saying about ensuring the experience is the same for readers and continually producing content with that in mind. Much different approach. And to the point, something that produces an income would definitely hold my attention.

I was also trying to think of what the big ticket item could be for each one. I think the "donkeys" you referred to would be the ones that a big ticket item likely would be a hard sale. Maybe not.

This definitely helps get my brain think more clearly. And combined with the "create a bunch of audio then schedule it out"...gold. GOLD, I TELL YA!!!!