DISQUS

Things like twitter are just another tool. And as with any tool you have figure out how you want to use it. This involves a plan. Now it doesn't have to be to serious and you can have fun to but there should be goals and you should have a way to measure the results. Maybe clicks to your site from your twitter profile (not from pitching yourself but from networking and people just being interested).

I agree that effective networking still needs to take place the old fashioned way. But I think all these new online tools allow that to happen more frequently

I can go to a conference and know 10-20 people that I started talking with on twitter or something and then can meet them.

One of the things I love about twitter is the ability to get involved in conversations before/during an event with people I don't know. Then having the ability to set something up to meet in person.

So easy to do with twitter search and makes for a better overall experience at the event.

Great tips my biggest problem has always been finding out who actually owns the domain. Most of the time it ends up being a dead end and I just give up.

To many people focus on their product and trying to push that product. Instead of thinking what their customers actual want and developing a product or service to meet their needs.

Everybody can write a book or do consulting work but are you writing for you or for the people reading it?

very cool idea. I still love getting business cards but often I forget to do anything with the info. I think its a great idea for taken care of that on the spot before I have time to lose the card or forget about it.

My best posts come from just writing. I mean all my posts revolve around the topic of starting a business because its what I'm doing. But I reall'y don't try and narrow my view on it. I just write about things that I talk to people about and I try to write like I talk. Since I realized all of this I have seen a solid response with traffic and comments to my blog. But if you never start writing you will never get feedback and you will never know where you will want to take it.

Totally agree. Over at Under30CEO we haven't completely defined our business yet and with our ustream chats each week we have build a tribe around us. It's such a great tool that not enough people use.

Maybe we don't want to many people using it because then tatango and under30ceo live chats wont be as unique! haha

My experience is that a lot of people don;t get it at all at first. But with a little explanation start to get involved and can see the benefit. However the most important part is giving these people a long-term plan. Anyone will jump on twitter and play with it for 2weeks and be done for 2months. However if I give them a strategy and show them how to tie their business/life into it they tend to stay involved. The mind-set is whats in it for them. So you have to lay it out in the simplest yet detailed plans to show them ROI.

That's an awesome project. I've always been trying to come up with ways to help companies generate ideas while making them more open to the public. This great for that but then the job opportunities that are being tied into it makes it an amazing project. I hope they succeed and we can continue to see more companies getting involved.

Inc. is a great Mag. I'm not subscribed but generally catch each issue at barnes & noble.

I didn't know it was the same publishers as fast company another great mag that I read. I also get entrepreneur mag which I am taking a liking to but there's a lot of articles I don't read compared to Inc where I read just about all of it.

Still have never seen the point to Wired mag. I pick up an issue here and there because so many people like it but just doesn't do anything for me.

Celebrity endorsements definitely don't change my mind about a brand. I know its all about the money there and I'll use the product if I like the product.

I feel like I already promote my brands. I tell people I like certain brands because I use them. It doesn't take any money I just like the products.

All 3 are really amazing. I never understand how they can put out such great content on such a regular basis.

I follow Seth most regularly just because I'm more into the marketing side of things and I like how he keeps things short and sweet.

I don't understand why there is no interest in content sites. I think that is where all the value is. If you can create something that people will pay for, for example great educational content. I think people and organizations still pay for great content that adds value to their lives.

Social media and social networking is flooded with crap and its going to be great t see it all sorted out over the years. There needs to be a shift in the strategies to monetize those site.

%70 of users are outside the US. Crazy stat considering it started only in the US.

Great idea. There definitely is a hierarchy. To many people only engage and build with no actual direction for their efforts.

Its the same with Gary Vaynerchuk. He tries to keep up with everything but it simple doesn't scale. However just knowing that he probably at least sees my at reply to him on twitter gives me a good feeling. I feel like theres a chance that one day I might actually form some kind of relationship with him because I know he is listning as best he can.

Just that feeling of hope is all that is really needed. Show everyone you really care and are trying and they will understand that you won't always keep up with everything.

Writing down a new idea everyday is great advice. Without those there will never be anything to actually act.

Any successful entrepreneur will say how they are constantly innovating and creating. Even if business is great there are always more possibilities.

Great to see small businesses getting involved this way. It's so simple to do but can go a long way. So many small businesses are so reluctant to get involved though. They either don't know about the opportunity or don't think it is worth it. I'm sure this will change over time but it's hard to see people rejecting ideas when there are so many success stories out there.

I tend to end each post I make with a question the reader. This always helps generate comments.

I have been thinking about using a tool like disqus but i have yet to really be convinced to install it on my blog. I bet before long I'll add it.

In the end comenting on relevent blogs is the best thing to do. Probably %75 of my hits come from people who click through from another blog to check my stuff out. It's time consuming but I'm learning and coming up with more ideas for me to write about when I read other posts.

Great comparisons. It's so true that so many kids think that when you say your starting a company your on easy street or something. They complain about class or after graduation working the 9-5. All while I think about how much crap I have to deal with. It's kind of funny listening to it because I know I'm much happier with everything I'm doing.

It is fun as hell though!

For small business social media needs to be used for innovation. Marketing won't work in small towns where people aren't connected or as Chris said everybody already knows you.

Use it to connect with small businesses in similar situations or your target audience (food lovers) not for new customers but for ideas. Or find that small deli in NYC that has leveraged social media to create tons of press and customers. Connect with them and see if they have some interesting techniques that could help you get some business over that other local deli.

Finaly use it to brand yourself as an expert in your field. If enough people follow you and respect you the opportunities for bigger and better things are endless.

Nice approach. Before you start anything research is needed because you have to do know who your competitors are. But you have to just start it. This is how you learn and get feedback. It's also easier to approach investors if you have something up and running with some results. It can just be a beta version but to be able to show some actaul interest goes along way.

Also I have had some experience with investors and they have never wanted a business plan. I have actually been thanked for sending them my 2 page executive summary. Focus on writing that and then down the line develop the business plan once you have feedback and a clearer direction of where your going.

I don't know what venues are being used but why so expensive for 40-70 people. I'm sure a back room at a restaurant or bar would do very well. You may not even have to pay for it if it brings a crowd to the place at an off hour.

So true Jim.

I saw a post bu Seth Godin where he talked about if you thought everything with your business is okay. If you think everything is ok then you are not taking chances and pushing yourself forward.

Managers strive for "okay" business owners need to strive for more.