Nick Thacker's Blog, page 28

The Promotional Strategy I’ll Bet You’re NOT Using…

Note: This is a guest post from Jessica Burde (check out the bio at the end of the post), a freelance writer and fan of sci-fi/fantasy. She’s written averyinteresting post, namely because it’s a strategy I’ve absolutely never thought of or even heard of before. I first heard of SecondLife many years ago, but dismissed it as a “Sims”-like game–not a tool for promotions.

So if you’re a writer or creator who feels like you’ve overturned every rock and looked in every nook and cranny for new and i...

Introducing: The Platform Firestarter

[image error]Have you ever started a fire without lighter fluid, using non-strike-anywhere matches and soggy timber?

I have.It’s not fun.

It used to be a “badge of honor” for us Boy Scouts, but the truth is–thepointof starting a fire istoenjoy a fire, not toenjoy trying to start one.

Your platform is a fire.

Platforms are these lofty, idealistic “head-in-the-clouds” things that don’t really make sense until they’re actuallydoingsomething for us.

Like a fire–it’s not really worth anything until it’s lit and bur...

It’s Coming…

[image error]Today’s post is going to be short and sweet.

Reallysweet, hopefully, because I think what’s about to happen on Thursday isfreaking awesome.

What’s happening on Thursday, you ask?

Thanks for asking.

Well, onThursday, July 12th, starting at 10am CST, we’ll be launching the best thing for building platforms you’ve ever seen.

Seriously–it’s that good.

The sale will go all weekend, ending promptly atmidnight, Monday morning (July 16th). At that point, the prices will go up and the early birds (you) will...

I Want to Build Something That Matters

When people ask me why I like blogging, writing, and creating stuff, I always answer: “because I love creating something from nothing.”

That’s true, but the answer is a little over-simplified.

Thewhole truth is that I love the idea of creating something that didn’t exist before that truly matters.

It could “matter” to me, to you, or to someone I’ll never know.

But the point is, it matters to someone.

What are you building?

It could be a book, a movie, a documentary, or a blog, or something else ent...

Kickstart Your Platform!

If you’ve been following this blog for any length of time, you know that I’m pretty keen on “building platforms,” “launching online brands,” and other buzzword-heavy memes.

The thing is, it’s not hype–I’mreallypassionate about that stuff. I wrote a short manifesto on the subject, and I’ve been coaching and consulting about it as well.

Then, when that wasn’t enough, I came out with a “cheat sheet” for those who wanted a quick-and-dirty rundown of the 101 Questions model.

But the best is yet to co...

Build An Online Masterpiece Like Michaelangelo

Note from Nick: this is a guest post from Brock Taylor, a masterpiece creator and online entrepreneur who runs Web Marketing Camp. I absolutely love the analogies he’s using here (and the Ninja Turtles reference), and hopefully you will as well!

If you’re interested in submitting a guest post to LiveHacked.com, check out the guest post page for the information and guidelines–we’d love to have you!

Let’s talk about Michelangelo.

Nope, not the ninja turtle, even though I would follow him if he had...

Want to Grow Your Blog? Start Here

Welcome to LiveHacked.com, ProBlogger readers! If you’re new here, this is a great post to start with! This site is all about blogging, writing well, and living better!

Most of you have been reading this blog long enough to know I’m a huge fan of guest posting. (If you haven’t been reading this blog for awhile, well then THANKS for starting!)

Guest posting as a growth strategy is a funny thing, though:

Many people have heard of it, most of them have tried it, but few of them actually gain the tr...

The One Secret to Using Twitter Successfully

Today’s post is short and sweet (well, shorter than usual…). I wanted to try and offerone simple solution, rather than inundate people with a “57 Tips” or “Top 18 Things”-type post. There’s a time and a place for all of that, but this post isn’t it.

If you’re reading this blog for the first time, there’s a lot more on this subject (for example: The Ultimate Guide to Social Media). I encourage you to sign up for the newsletter–I often send things to the list that doesn’t ever get posted here.

An...

How Well Do You Know Your Reader?

Note: This is a guest post from Matthew Turner, aka Turndog Millionaire. I’ve been a fan of his since I stumbled across his site months ago. to put it bluntly–follow this guy; he’s going to be doing some awesome things in the near future. He’s young, smart, and ready to move, and you need to be paying attention or he’ll pass you by as well.

His writing and tips are also a reallygreat way to analyze how a great “guest poster” gets things done. Enter Matthew:

Do you know your reader? Do you sit d...

Fires: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Over the past four days, my wife and I have been glued to the TV, watching the wildfires spread throughout northern Colorado Springs. We recently moved here, and it seems we’ve brought the heat and the forest fires with us from Austin. For those of you who haven’t heard about all of this, here are a few pictures from the area:

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Seriously–if you’re the type who’s into prayer–please,pleasebe praying for the amazing 800+ firefighters, their families, and everyone who’s been affected by the mayhem...