Whistle Stops are conversations, eye-openers, or tools representing the brain train discovered while traveling along the Conversphere.  From business to education, life hacks to giving back, these are the posts and links that have in some way grabbed my attention this week!

Having just landed in my new home of Southern Oregon, I did a quick search of a few "conversation stations" on the web. Some good stuff going on here:

• Standing Stone Brewing Company – Award-winning brew crafted on the premises and calamari worth shouting about. This place might become a favorite night-time work station for me.
• Boulevard Coffee – Could be my Oregon version of Panera U. Great location, panoramic windows. Lots of room for creative, collaborative conversations.
• Christine Collier – We've not met, but I've heard some great things about the So. Oregon Wine Country leading social mediatologist. She started the Southern Oregon Wine Blog. I look forward to seeing if there's a #CIB type of thing here in Oregon.
• Midtown Marketing Group – How cool is this?  I loved doing some work with Drew McLellan and his MMG (McLellan Marketing Group) team in Iowa.  There's a different MMG here in Oregon. Hmm…

Just a peek inside what's around the (and south of) bend.

Whistle Stops are conversations, eye-openers, or tools representing the brain train discovered while traveling along the Conversphere.  From business to education, life hacks to giving back, these are the posts and links that have in some way grabbed my attention this week!

Elsewhere:

• How to Use Delicious: The King of Social Bookmarking by Kristi Hines – A keep it handy guide and tutorial. Delicious this one!
• What's Your Role in the Social Media Ecosystem? at Smart Blogs on Social Media – A guest poll I did shows that sharing as the key role in social media. This guest post was part of a contest/crowdsource to choose the SBoSM pollster, so sign up and vote.
• Essential Tips for Social Media & Content Marketing by Adam Singer – Some great notes (and the deck) from a Marketo presentation. The 6 Rules of great content is a must!
• 7 Deadly Fears of Blogging and How to Overcome Them by Nathan Hangen – Not just an addressing of these fears, but an undressing of them too. Victory!
• Background Template for New Twitter by Chad Engle (HT to Crenk) – Many have asked or searched — here it is.  Looks easy to implement (I'll be trying on several accounts today).

Here at ConverStations (in case you missed it)

• The Bookstore Lesson – Always the favorite lesson of folks I coach. Lots of great metaphors to learn from (Part of 0-60)
• Should Every Business Blog? - I surprised even myself with my answer
• Secure Your Username with KnowEm and NameChk – Two sevices we use a lot, just prior to launching the blog. Includes a list of recommended services to start with. (Part of 0-60)
• On This Day in Social Media History: Saturday Night Live – Was the original cast of SNL a precursor/model to some of the A-List type bloggers?

From my Twitter Thoughts:

• Too many businesses want the Chia Pet version of Social Media strategy…just add water. End result = Plastic. Be Organic (tweet)
• a by-product of the microwave mentality of our times. When folks ask "What's Next?" Do they really mean "When's Next?" (tweet)
• A "learner" mindset is more pliable than a "learned" mindset. Even in debate, strength & fwd movement can be a quick result (tweet)
• In 1988, Stl Cards SS Ozzie Smith won a Gold Glove, even tho he made more errors than any NL SS. He took more chances (got 2 more balls) (tweet)
• Hollywood: 1.Build it & they will come, 2.Ease their pain, 3.Go the Distance. Reality: Gotta answer #2 b4 starting on #1 (tweet)
• We live in an era of "Quick-Attention Span", not "Short Attention Span" – it's become a necessity to filter quickly (tweet)

Enjoy your travels:-)

Whistle Stops are conversations, eye-openers, or tools representing the brain train discovered while traveling along the Conversphere.  From business to education, life hacks to giving back, these are the posts and links that have in some way grabbed my attention this week!

Elsewhere

• 4 Ways Busy Entrepreneurs Can Find Time for Blogging by Tia Peterson – Follow these simple (but important) ideas to create time for blogging – and maybe even synchronize your communications.
• Why RSS is Still Important for Your Business by Sarah Worsham – Though it may not be used at the forefront like years ago, RSS is still very important – here are some reasons why.
• If RSS is Dead, Can Someone Explain this Chart to Me? by Andy Beal – Looks like growth to me.
• 6 Simple Steps to Killer Blog Interviews by Hector Cuevas – One way to build great content, readership, and conversation. This play should be in your blogging game plan
• How to Use a Writing Frame by Chris Brogan – A great practice, especially if you seem to hit a slump. Also see One Post – One Point for ideas on making a worksheet.

Here at ConverStations (in case you missed it)

• Abuse Doesn't Warrant Non-Use, it Argues for Correct Use -Just because a few are using something improperly, doesn't mean we should prohibt use for all.
• Storefronts as Conversation Stations – Make it Count – A rural business starts a conversation project outside of its storefront. And the purpose is clear – counting.
• Get Outta Town – Don't keep all your hyperlinks in your neighborhood.  Build a global reach to improve your local voice.
• Every Once In Awhile, Blog Like Instant Oatmeal – Too many bloggers try to hit a five-run homefun on every post. Sometimes, a quick-and-easy is better for both short- and long-term.

Enjoy Your Travels:-)