Most people who blog have a deeper and more meaningful passion than blogging itself, so that’s what I was encouraging everyone in the audience to focus on.

That’s what I heard. What I think moved me so much is that I’m personally in a transition of how I express my passion. Web development is good. Yet I have some ideas of things I love that I’d like to help people learn and use to better their life and grow their business. That’s why your talk really spoke to me (and why last week was David Armano week.).

One of my own missions in having a blog is to make this mysterious medium more available to non bloggers. I’ve had a couple of interesting conversations on the point – a conversation I’ll likely continue.

For me, the focus is on what we love – as you said, what we’re passionate about – not on how we deliver it. I see the blog a means for delivery. And I can understand some people’s passion being the blog itself. My passion is in great conversation and deep relationships that change our business and change our lives. And it’s clear, especially from SOBCon, that the blog can help.

How does the blog fit into your life/work/relationships?

But let’s keep this really simple. In the end, it comes down to your passion. Most people who blog have a deeper and more meaningful passion than blogging itself, so that’s what I was encouraging everyone in the audience to focus on.

However, let’s say that hypothetically blogging itself is your core passion. You live for it. Like anyone passionate about something, you want to evangalize and spead the word about how wonderful blogging is. What’s the key to any successful evangelical movement?

Empathy.

The blogging world we are so comfortable with is a scary place to outsiders. Anything we can do to empathize with their comfort level will help them see why we love blogging so. But you also have to be empathetic enough to understand that it’s not for everyone.

Passion and empathy. Together these are powerful ingredients that when combined can lead to…

Persuasion + Influence.

Food for thought.

Isn’t that one of the keys to living a remarkable life; to always allow a little expansion in our view of things?

Will he live in the well anymore? Probably. It’s his home. But never again will his mind be limited to the small space of that well.

Once the perspective has been changed (thanks, Mr. Armano), you can still do what you’ve always done… but your outlook is now different, and the freedom to choose is yours.

That’s right, he’s at IIT Institute of Design Strategy conference. May be a few days before I can get him on. But I’ll try.

Hey, those were both me…

I have the same experience whenever I talk about what people/clients/businesses can gain from blogging. When we’re finished, they’re often begging me to set up a blog and teach them how to use it. Of course the work happens after the excitement wanes.

I’d love to talk with you on the phone sometime about your experiences with this…

Tony,

True. So to be on the safe side, I’m going to start calling you my brother.

Jason,

True, David is a thought leader – at least in my opinion. By the way, where is he in this conversation? I’ll have to tickle him…

Geek – Computer Geek – Computer Geek with Web Log – Blogger – Creative Digital Collaborator

Armano is a creative leader. Calling himself a blogger is like Bill Gates calling himself a computer engineer.

@Lucia – Dog walking is a good business too. Actually do a Google search for “start goat farming or dog business” (no quotes) and look at who happens to show up on the first page (about 7th at one time).

Keywords can be your friend, or a fun joke. The power of SEO.

LOL – a zoo keeper – how fun! Toronto does have a great zoo.
I also like dogs… any more suggestions.

Andrea

Your comment is great: “If we’re going to open the world of blogging to more and more folks (two links there), we first got to get them involved. How we talk about blogging is one way to do that.”

That has been my approach with people. I say I own a web/blog design company, however if you want to know what that really means I can tell you more since everyone should know about it. Funny thing is when I do – people get all fired up and I end up building them a blog.

Educating people is key… great point Andrea.

Dog walking is sort of like goat farmer in the city. I have a friend who dog walks in Manhattan and does pretty well for herself.

Ooh, you could also be a zookeeper.

Now – nobody would believe me if I said I was a goat farmer – so do you have a god solid job for me to say I am? Think City Girl meets Marge Simpson.

Everyone in the downtown core of toronto seems to be a trader – not sure if I can pull that off – I’d have to learn the whole corporate jargon and industry terms. Since everyone is one – they would be able to spot a fake a mile away.

Sometimes I just say I’m a computer geek.

I love it. And I can certainly see your point. Yet jouralism is a known, accepted and fairly trusted profession. Blogging is new, fairly untrusted and highly misunderstood by anyone outside the blogosphere. If we’re going to open the world of blogging to more and more folks (two links there), we first got to get them involved. How we talk about blogging is one way to do that.

Feel free to ramble any time…

Tony,

Yes, titles do pigeon-hole us. And I don’t think that’s all bad as long as the people you’re interacting with understand what you do. Think of it as common ground.

Goat farmer, huh? You know Dawud (David) was a sheep herder in the Bible. Sounds like we’re long-lost relatives.

But seriously, one thing I’ve found from being self-employed most of my working life is that titles pigeon-hole by their very nature.

I’ve been a designer, cartoonist, writer, developer, and entrepreneur, and all of those titles come with preconceived notions.

I think the consensus of context is where I usually fall. I can never seem explain to my extended family what I actually do for a living.

I’m sticking with goat farmer …

Do you think someone sat down the journalists and said “You are NOT Journalists – you are either a yada yada and a newspaper is your medium”

So ‘Blogging’ may be just how our society ages. We used to call everyone Mr and Mrs and now it’s first names. Parents use to punish their children and now they get sent away for slapping. If you dont get personal about your News today, it aint news.

I have no idea why you happened to be the recipient of my ramblings today

~~ Andrea

I’m always here to help…and educate.

You have to know what you want out of the experience of blogging / self-publishing, and you have to know your audience.

That’s pretty close to what I feel as well. And I certainly advise my clients the same.

I think it’s important to consider blogging in relation to the problems that it can help your business solve. But it’s not the end-all itself, in my opinion.

Yet the term blogger has a positive ring to it as well. It has a hook, as you said. So we continue to walk the fence post…

And, I love that your ramble. Shows that we really are related in some way.