How to be true to yourself on social media
May 17 2013 · · CommunicateEver wondered why some people just seem to always have the right thing to say on social media. Some brands just know how to get their people engaged around what they’re posting on Facebook, Twitter & Co.
What’s that magic sauce that they’re using? Is there a way to “get what they’re having”? And how do they come up with all this cool content all the time? They most certainly must have some tiny social media robot working for them in the basement brainstorming, strategizing, and cranking out one irresistible tweet after another. Not to mention their killer photos on Instagram.
Sorry to disappoint you, but there’s no social media robot. Well, not entirely. There are (more or less) handy tools like Tweetdeck and Hootsuite that help you manage your social media activities. But no Tweetdeck can replace a human brain when it comes to awesome things to say and valuable content to share. That part’s on you, rebel!
Writing Lessons from Stephen King
May 10 2013 · · Communicate, Good VoicesHow do you hone your writing skills? And that’s not a rhetorical question. I encourage you to think about what you do every day to become a better writer?
Yeah, you heard that right. It takes a daily commitment to the craft if you want to grow as a writer. That doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. On the contrary, the more fun you have spending time with words and sentences and storytelling, the better.
The tricky part is figuring out how you can make your reading and writing activities an everyday routine – in such a way that you’re looking forward to get to it as you wake up every morning.
It so happens that Stephen King, the author of more than fifty books (all of them worldwide bestsellers by the way), knows a thing or two about the craft of writing. So much so that he wrote a memoir sharing his journey on becoming a bestselling author and writing lessons he learned along the way.
Here are some of King’s revealing insights that inspired me most:
Why It’s Your Duty to Speak Up
May 03 2013 · · CommunicateDid you know that today is World Press Freedom Day?
The United Nations declared May 3 World Press Freedom Day to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of press. Today, we remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression. We pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession. And we honor reporters who have risked their safety for the truth – like Rafael Marques de Morais, an Angolan reporter and anti-corruption activist, who was featured in an interview with ONE not too long ago.
As I used to work as a newspaper reporter and TV news producer in Germany for several years, World Press Freedom Day is especially important to me. Why? Because freedom of press begins with freedom of speech – and freedom of speech is a right that we often take for granted in our democratized Western world.
In celebration of World Press Freedom Day, I invite you to speak up for your mission. Let us hear your voice, and share what you think the world needs to hear from you.
Communications Insights from Lunapads Germany CEO Britta Wein
Apr 19 2013 · · Communicate, Good VoicesWhat’s the best part of my job? Working with amazing entrepreneurs and business owners like Britta Wein. Britta launched Lunapads Germany in 2012 and runs the social mission-based business from Berlin. Lunapads helps women have healthier and more positive experiences with their menstrual cycles and their bodies by offering natural and sustainable hygienic products.
Britta works closely with Lunapads International, headquartered in Canada, when it comes to defining the mission and the value of the products offered. All Lunapads products are reusable and help reduce waste creating a healthier planet.
Inspiring Quotes :: Renegade Women’s Conference Edition
Apr 13 2013 · · Inspiring QuotesLet’s face it: We all need food for our entrepreneurial soul.
That’s why I attended the 2013 Renegade Women’s Conference in Santa Monica, California, yesterday. Organized by the renegade queens Donna Queza and Nailah Blades, the event brought together corporate renegades turned entrepreneurial powerhouses who are all looking for better ways to do business.
As a special something from me to you, I’m presenting you with some nuggets of business wisdom that inspired me at #RWC13. [Yes, that's a hashtag, and you can look it up on Twitter for more juicy inspiration!]
Stop Bullshitting Yourself
Mar 29 2013 · · CommunicateI recently stumbled upon a TEDx talk by Kathleen Taylor who is encouraging us to rethink the bucket list. Taylor is a licensed mental health counselor who has worked in the nonprofit healthcare and social services sector for over 20 years. In her TEDx talk she shares her experience providing counsel to people who are dying.
Now, you might ask yourself what do dying people and bucket lists have to do with communicating your message? A lot. Read on to find out:
On Creativity: Drawing Inspiration from Mathieu Bitton
Mar 23 2013 · · Good VoicesMathieu Bitton. Photo by Polina Rabtseva
Creativity is a big part of how you want to approach your communications. People who have worked with me know that I encourage them to defy convention and embrace originality – by tapping into their creativity. I believe Albert Camus who once wrote: “With rebellion, awareness is born.”
As communications rebels we can look in many places to get inspired and fuel creativity. I especially recommend you to turn to musicians, filmmakers, photographers and visual artists for inspiration when it comes to letting your true voice shine in the most creative way.
One artist who has embraced creativity for over 20 years is the brilliant Grammy nominated art director, photographer, director, producer, and designer Mathieu Bitton.
Participating in Chris Guillebeau’s Social Experiment
Mar 13 2013 · · Rebel YellSometimes I like to experiment, don’t you? It’s fun because you never know what comes off it. Remember those science experiments back in high school that almost got the whole school on fire because you couldn’t figure out how to use a Bunsen burner?
Yep. This week, I’d like to play with fire a little bit (in a sense) and participate in Chris Guillebeau’s social experiment which is all about helping someone for free.