I’ve written and spoken many times about how overwhelming all the new Social Media and Technology can be and feel. Yet, I use more new and old media, I suspect, than any other blogger (I’m aware of). And, it’s not that hard. Let’s explore what they all are and ask why YOU are not taking advantage of these amazing tools. Most of them are free and most of them are easy. What is hard is taking that first step and plunging in!
First, I’m going to list what media I employ and yes, I am just one person (with three Twitter handles, admittedly):
~~ Website: BruceSallan.com.
~~ Radio Show, on 4 AM Stations in 4 States.
~~ Speak at conferences such as BlogWorld, 140ConfLA and NY, and upcoming the Dad 2.0 Conference in Houston (where I’ll be speaking on exactly this subject).
~~ Created and write the Because I Said So comic strip.
~~ Film, edit, and post a weekly vlog, called I’m NOT That Dad.
~~ Published two books, one in paperback and e-book forms, the most recent as an e-book only.
~~ Regularly appear on HuffPostLive.
~~ Guest blog – less so now, but I did 25 articles for 12Most.com.
~~ Write a weekly syndicated column – in 100 or so newspapers and websites – called A Dad’s Point-of-View.
~~ Created, host, and run #DadChat every Thursday evening.
~~ Guest on other radio shows.
~~ Curate my own Facebook Page and post 12 times per week, almost without fail.
~~ Do Twitter to the tune of over 70 tweets per day, EVERY DAY, the past 1000+ days.
Are you tired yet?
I believe everyone can do many of the things on this list. Granted, this is my “day job” and I don’t have young kids anymore. And, granted I have an IV of caffeine attached 24/7, but that doesn’t mean that YOU can’t try more of this stuff.
How do I do it?
It’s not magic. I have two advantages that God and my former career gave me. First, I do have an abundant amount of energy. And, second my showbiz background gave me a leg-up in learning and doing some of these related creative endeavors.
I believe the corny saying that “All you have to fear is fear itself” is actually not corny, but completely true. Why haven’t you done video? Afraid of the process? What have you got to lose?
I do all my video “on location” and I use any one of many devices to record, from my iPhone to my GoPro (see the videos in How to Ski Out of This World – all taken with my helmet-mounted GoPro!). I also have a HD video camera, still camera, iPad, and laptop that all can support and take video.
The biggest aid to my varied projects came when I switched from PCs to Apple. Apple’s generic photo and movie-editing programs are easy to learn, easy to use, and more that sufficient for my needs.
Not liking to learn new things, I utilized Apple’s $99 a year One2One tutoring program. I went almost weekly for at least two years, learning and refining my skills in iMovie, iPhoto, and how to use my iPhone and iPad best, when I got them. It all started with my first Apple computer and learning their interfaces and programs. Some things I didn’t want to change, so I use WORD for Apple rather than use Apple’s word-processing program.
My point is that I’m no genius, in spite of assuring my boys that I am on a regular basis. What I am is pretty fearless, brazen to a degree, and willing to fail. I know you can do it too.
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