The difference might be organization. Bringing ideas to life takes more than just the thought and a hope. Scott Belsky has a formula in his book, Making Ideas Happen, that really hits the nail on the head.

Creativity X Organization = Impact

You might have the most genius idea in the world, but without organization you’ll have zero impact. Someone with less creativity with good organization will eventually have a greater impact.

Instead of trying to come up with that next great idea, I challenge you to work on your processes and organization. It takes both to make things happen!

{photo by KaBloom Studios}

Happy New Year to everyone!  We’ve been working hard on Awesome Camp 2011 over at Toolulu.  This will be the second year for the event.  And we couldn’t be more excited!  The response we’ve had so far is incredible, and we still have about two more months until the event!  We are changing things ever so slightly from last year because we think we can handle a bigger event this year.   Plus, we want as much local talented as possible to attend.  Here are a couple things we are excited about:

• FRIDAY NIGHT— We added a Friday night opening and mixer to the event.  wOOt!  We want to give people the chance to network as much as possible, and kick of the event in a great way.  We are excited to have red9 with us on board again this year.  They always do it right, and never let us down.
• UN-CONFERENCE AWESOMENESS— Saturday is the un-conference portion of the event and will have three tracks: Entrepreneurship, Tech and Creative.  We added the Tech track this year because we want to hear from app developers, IT gurus, and techy geniuses.  What exactly is an un-conference? It’s where the agenda is made up by the attendees.  All speakers are decided on the very day of the conference.  Which usually means that the people who speak are passionate about what they’re talking about.  Which also makes for a very cool event.
• SATURDAY KICK OFF— We’re excited to announce that Jay Wilkinson will be kicking things off on Saturday morning.  Be prepared to be inspired.  Very inspired.  We’re lucky to have Jay in the Lincoln community, and we’re happy to have him at Awesome Camp.
• LUNCH—  If you look at our twitter mentions from last year, lunch was just as big of a hit as the speakers and content.  Like I said, red9 knows how to entertain and make us feel good.
• SPONSORSHIPS— We’re depending on sponsors more than ever.  This year’s event will be the launch of the official Social Media Club- Lincoln Chapter.  And to make everything official, we need to dot a couple i’s and cross a few t’s… and that takes a little dough.

{photo by KaBloom Studios}

You can find out more about Awesome Camp on the website.  And you may want to get your tickets soon as we are limiting them to 200 this year.  {and the way sales are going, we’re sure to sell out}.  Plus, it’s only $10 and well worth it!

Between babies, clients, and a website redesign, we didn’t keep up the blog like before. However, we value this space and the contribution it makes to our site and our own personal growth. So, no more excuses. We’re back.

We both aren’t really out of the blogging habit. We have been running our own separate blogs during this time.  Now it is time to jump back in here on Toolulu.

We have some great topics to discuss.

We’d love to hear what you’re most interested in. What do you want to hear about from us in 2011?

1. Be helpful.

Many magazine editors, bloggers, and other journalists are inundated with pitches–most of them bad and self-serving.  Make yours stand out by being genuinely helpful.  Give the editors exactly what they are looking for-compelling stories.

2. Know the publication.

No pitch will hit the trash bin quicker than one that isn’t relevant.

3. Follow the editorial calendar.

Most publications have an editorial calendar available for download.  Many work weeks and months in advance and your pitch will have more sticking power if it is timely.

Have a story?  Get pitching!

What does this mean to you?

image via flickr, copyright stefanball

Even though I had proven to the event that I was justified in my press pass request, many of the attendees were surprised when I told them my publication was my blog. One former writer for a small and now defunct magazine even said, “I guess they let just anyone in on a press pass nowadays”. Hmmm. I guess they do.

Events that allow bloggers must want interactive readerships (comments and conversations), seemingly instant coverage of the event (no waiting three months before publication), and longevity (just a search engine away and not lining the birdcage floor).

Because everyone needs to use the bathroom at some point, right?!

And even though it’s just straight down the hall, I find myself pointing in the right direction to make sure they find it okay.  Because that’s our job as a host- to make sure our guests feel as comfortable as possible.

So is that how people feel when they visit your site?

Do they feel like they can find what they need when they need it?  In other words, are you being a good host in your online home?

Here are a few common attention areas we see when help clients analyze their website usability:

– Are the layout and navigation elements in the same place on every page?

- Is the site’s organization and functionality straight-forward?

- Is the site design consistent with other branding (i.e. collateral materials, etc)

- Is your main message “above the fold”?

- Does the site appear the same in major web browsers?  How about on a PC and Mac?

- If you have a product available for purchase is it easy to purchase the item and checkout?

And we wouldn’t want you to me an automatic failure as a host in your online home.

Here are a few that scream fail from the get-go:

– Music automatically playing.  Give users the option to turn it on.

- Splash pages.

- Anything that flies.

- “Coming Soon” – don’t put that page live until it’s ready.

- Too much navigation

So what are you doing on your website to be a good host to your visitors?

Don’t underestimate the importance of being a participant in the space.

Sure, these sites will sell you banner space and access to their database.  But they also GIVE you access to join the space to make genuine relationships with your potential customers.

Share the passion, not the product.

You must have some passion about what you are trying to market.  Go into those niche spaces and avoid the sales pitch.

Be transparent.

When I say to avoid the sales pitch, I’m not saying be secretive or evasive about who you are and what you represent.  You want them to know who you are, who you represent or work for, and what you do.  Make that information available.  You want people to be able to contact you.  Just don’t make every single interaction about those things.

Are you ready to be where your customers are?

This post isn’t about why it’s important to know how to use social media (even though it is!).  A few years ago we had to pitch the topic to groups and companies and convince them that it was a good idea.  The ones that listened are now leaps and bounds ahead of their competitors.  It’s still early in the social media game.  The tools may change, but the concepts will be around for a long time.  I’m just glad I don’t have to spend all of my time convincing.  Now is the time to focus on the teaching.

As you’re typing in the search box, it automatically pulls up what it thinks you’re searching for.

Pretty genius, really.  As if we didn’t already love you enough, google.