As promised, here is the wrap-up from the Tuesday, February 17th edition of #sbbuzz. Great session and thanks again to all who participated. For part of the evening we chatted with @jrochelle from Google Docs, a summary of which I posted earlier today. And a huge thank you to the lovely @chelpixie who pours through the hundreds of tweets each week to extract the juiciest tidbits for a listing here.
- Next buzz-up is Tuesday, February 24th from 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM Eastern Time
- Please help us spread the word! The more voices, the better the conversation.
- Instructions for participating are at http://sbbuzz.biz/instructions
- Below is a summary of the most recent discussion. To see the full conversation, go to http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23sbbuzz
Q1 from @Yaraher How do you manage your short, medium and long term goals? business plans? planning on the road?
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jtkaufmann: When using Visio it allows you to create a visual map of any process with end goals. And maps/charts ways to get there
bradfordshimp: I like the backward planning concept of Simpleology – figure out your goal and the step to take right before you reach it, etc.
rightantler: @sbbuzz I use webspiration to create mindmaps which turn into short/medium/long term goals
scoblitz: @sbbuzz I use the goals functionality in Toodledo so I can link my tasks/actions to them. It also lets me track success chains.
Q2 Many talented professionals are turning to self-employment. Where do you start when turning skillset + network into a business?
LoganKugler: @pdxdirect I started my first business at age 10. I guess you could say I didn’t have many employment options other than self-emply. #sbbuzz
jtkaufmann: Q2:Your passion needs to be your guide…what is it that you love to do and then what have you done which further adds value #sbbuzz
scoblitz: @sbbuzz Q2 It was pretty organic for me. In conjunction with job search I started some contract work and it just blossomed. #sbbuzz
DrFernKazlow: Look for a need and fill it. It must integrate w/ your skills and vision. #sbbuzz
mriggen: Q2 I left the corporate world largely because of archaic family leave policies. Kept a good network around me & ended up consulting. #sbbuzz
Yaraher: Q2: I think it was more an attitude. I cared too much about what I did to let any other took decisions so I made them myself #sbbuzz
Stig: Q2 Some say jump in, but I’ve always had luck moonlighting in my passion and then jumping in once the paying client base is built. #sbbuzz
sbbuzz: Q3 from @benrasmusen What do you use for tracking your brand in social media? Where do you track it? What do you track? #sbbuzz
selahsynergy: @sbbuzz as an independent, I track in google alerts/reader. I track my name, company name and competitors. #sbbuzz
nrohrbach: Personally it’s tough for me to use soc media, much less track it, I still have a day job which has twitter, facebook, etc blocked #sbbuzz
scoblitz: @sbbuzz Q3 – I’m looking at both Filtrbox and Radian6 – Google alerts aren’t reliable enough for me #sbbuzz
jtkaufmann: Q3: Within a limited space, using Linked In for insight into who is viewing you/your company/profile is somewhat helpful #sbbuzz
Yaraher: Q3 I mostly track it through twitter searches, google alerts and checking media accounts sparingly #sbbuzz
mattharrell: I have yet to use it but hear great things about http://www.trackur.com/ fro tracking rep monitoring #sbbuzz
sbbuzz: Q4 How do you get good press online or off? How do you build relationships with bloggers and reporters? #sbbuzz
LoganKugler: To build relationships with reporters: HARO (helpareporter.com). Bloggers: There are many. One way is to guest post. #sbbuzz
Yaraher: Q4 Being a blogger myself and sharing with online communities helps a lot #sbbuzz
mriggen: Q4 Events like SXSW and Tweetups are great for connecting offline, which leads to stronger connections online. #sbbuzz
gamerzombies: Q4: Participating in forums, contributing to blogs including posting good content on yours, tweeting, networking on FB/Linked/Plaxo #sbbuzz
smallbiztrends: Q4: Get online press by commenting on blogs and publishing contact info on your own blog so you are reachable easily #sbbuzz #sbbuzz
scoblitz: @sbbuzz Q4: Twitter has been a great vehicle for relationship building. #sbbuzz
sbbuzz: Q5 frm @pattianastasia Anyone doing podcasting (audio only) or webcasting (video/audio)? What are you using? What do you use it for? #sbbuzz
mriggen: Q5 My mom owns an online coffee biz (brownjenkins.com) and does videos “Cookin’ with Coffee” (on YouTube) Go mom! #sbbuzz
smallbiztrends: Q5: We do a weekly podcast, using BlogTalkRadio.com to broadcast — easy peesy and free. #sbbuzz
bradfordshimp: I take part in alot of webcasts and plan on hosting them in the future – I think it is a great tool. #sbbuzz
sbbuzz: Q6 from @LogicommInc As a micro-business, where do you go for basic computer support? #sbbuzz
bradfordshimp: I’m of the DIY camp on basic computer support. #sbbuzz
gamerzombies: Q6: IRC or forums are great for computer support… and of course you can use Twitter now. Also agree with @bradfordshimp DIY = best #sbbuzz
nrohrbach: Honestly, the first place I go for computer support: Google. #sbbuzz
mriggen: Q6 But what about the non-techies in the house, what do they do? I know you’re out there – would love to hear your side! #sbbuzz
bradfordshimp: We used to hire a local guy to handle things like networking and new computer set up – but I looked over his shoulder and learned. #sbbuzz
gamerzombies: @mriggen Non-techies should do what my family does, call a techie relative… believe me, they don’t hesitate to call me! 
#sbbuzz
sbbuzz: Follow-up for you DIYers: what is the best way to learn about new technologies? #sbbuzz
gamerzombies: Best way to learn about tech is to not be afraid to ask questions and to try and do it yourself. Just back up your files frequently! #sbbuzz
sbbuzz: Q7 While waiting for Google arrival, let’s start talking collaboration tools. What are you using? Is is mobile? What works/doesn’t? #sbbuzz
RoyalSaltMedia: Basecamp http://www.basecamphq.com #sbbuzz
bradfordshimp: Basecamp, highrise, google docs #sbbuzz
RoyalSaltMedia: Little brother: Backpack http://www.backpackit.com. No I am not a reseller or affiliated in any way. Just a client. #sbbuzz
scoblitz: @sbbuzz Q7 Internally we use a variety of things. Externally I have yet to find something that works, too much variance in clients. #sbbuzz
mriggen: @sbbuzz We’re virtual company using Google docs, @freshbooks (invoicing), @mailchimp (email), @wufoo (surveys) BatchBook (CRM) #sbbuzz
EZBizGrowth: Q7 Like SmartSheet & also use Basecamp #sbbuzz #sbbuzz
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