Marketing is a scary word for a lot of folks. Just the mere mention of the word send chills down some spines and conjures up the sleaziest of scare tactics and pressure sales antics imaginable. For example, how is it possible there are only 23 copies of an e-book left? A printed book – absolutely – all of the copies printed could be sold, but come on – only 23 “left” of an e-book? Do they think we’re stupid, or what?
Let me introduce you to my friend, Marty Marsh. …

I’m always striving to improve my business and my website’s reflection of it. Recently, I revamped several pages here to more accurately reflect who I am, what I have to offer and to whom.

In this case, X is the “to whom” part, Y is the “what I have to offer” part and Z is a 4th, but very important element: the “what’s in it for you” part.

Can you say your X, Y and Z in one sentence? In less than 140 characters?

It’s New Year’s Day and a good chunk of the world is making resolutions. I don’t do that. Making New Year’s Resolutions is far too linear an activity for me.

Instead, I do a duck inventory. I don’t worry too much about getting or keeping them in a row. (My ducks are too much like me for that.)

“Authenticity” is the degree to which one is true to one’s own personality, spirit, or character, despite the demands of society or one’s early conditioning.
Being Authentic Is Intimidating
In my experience, being your authentic self can feel pretty damn intimidating. Bringing that authenticity to your business and online presence(s) feels damn near suicidal, in many ways. We don’t want to feel alone, sticking out like a sore thumb, even if the reason we stick out is that we’re truly great and gifted at something. What if people laugh? What if no …

The Setup
When I made the leap (or got dumped, however you want to look at it… LOL) into self-employment back on Friday, December 6, 2002, I was scared shitless, to say the least. And in the years since, I have struggled, floundered, and put a brave face on pursuing success – but a lot of that time, I didn’t know what the hell I was doing.
Ok, I take that back – I knew what I was doing. What I didn’t know was whether what I was doing was what …