I was just reflecting with someone the other day about the phenomenon of things, particular websites, becoming verbs in such a short period of time.

“Myspace me!” or “Facebook me!” are two things that we say these days without even considering that we’re just making up English as we go along. We wouldn’t say “Book me” or “Door me”. If we said “Amazon me” our friends would just pause and look at us like we had just stated something like…”I’m really an undercover ninja disguised as normal folk to blend in”. Blink, blink.

So…following the trends, there’s another buzzword that you may or may not be family with.

“Tweet”

Possible usages include: “I just received your latest tweet”, “That tweet was awesome” or, for the hard-core, “if I don’t tweet in the next 10 minutes, my head is going to explode”.

While I have used the first of the two phrases above, the third one is thankfully not something that has or ever will come from my ninja-trained mouth.

If you aren’t following me already on Twitter (yes, that’s what all this mindless banter was about)…you can check me out at www.twitter.com/jonhaarstad where following me is reserved for the brave…or the mildly intrigued…or the easily amused…or the presently bored.

So…to clear things up - I’m a budding “Twitter-er” who sends out “Tweets” to his friends and colleagues….the “twit” thing doesn’t apply - just ask Steve.

Here’s the irony - it’s a review of a book about making money at blogging….on a blog. Shame on me.

This was a book that I’ve been eyeing for awhile and finally picked up and dove into. I’ve been a “blogging dabbler” up till now. I’ve had big dreams of getting more involved in blogging but until I make a more committed plunge, I won’t claim to be anything near a professional (or even regular) blogger.

After reading this book by two of the more well-known pioneers of turning blogging into a profession (Darren Rowse of ProBlogger.net & Chris Garrett of chrisg.com) - I do feel like I’ve been able to get a better grasp on what makes professional blogs and those that write for them tick.

The biggest thing I’ve taken from this is the need for two things…

1. FOCUS
Without focus, a professional blog is nothing more than a personal journal which isn’t a bad thing, but not something that is likely to generate a great following and significant revenue. (as a side-note, this blog lacks the sort of “focus” that I’m referring to - this particular blog is a random collection of things that come to mind)

2. A PLAN OF “ATTACK”
No, there will be no Normandy or Iwo Jima moments but there must be an ongoing battle for attention. Before setting out, a plan involving many “fronts” will be required. From commenting on other blogs, to link sharing, directory listings, SEO, etc…there isn’t just one way to acquire readers. Of course, for all these efforts to work - you must be providing good content.

While these strategies aren’t really applicable to this particular blog, which is more fun than “work”, there are strategies I plan to implement on my other budding blog resources.

“ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income” (Darren Rowse, Chris Garrett)

If you share my fascination, check out a website called Office Snapshots at www.officesnapshots.com.

So, here’s the list of books that I am currently reading. I’ll write up some reviews as I finish them. Yes, I’m on a bit of “geek” track at the moment…I’ll have to work in some good fiction over the holidays.

“ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income” (Darren Rowse, Chris Garrett)

“Website Optimization: Speed, Search Engine & Conversion Rate Secrets” (Andrew King)

“The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness” (Dave Ramsey)

The focus of this book, as the title implies, is on the “Social Web” in relation to marketing but the book looks at more than just the obvious things that come to mind such as MySpace for Facebook. When we use the phrase “social web”, the grander idea relates to the use of the web and web technologies to bring people together in a way that creates and enhances a sort of “digital community”. The author covers everything from Facebook to YouTube to blogs and approaches like utilizing something called “viral marketing” (don’t worry, just because it’s called “viral” doesn’t make it a health risk).

The notion that the web has changed our lives is a no-brainer. From a marketer’s perspective, the impact is undeniable and yet there are still some archaic approaches that, although valuable 5 to 10 years ago, the rapidly changing landscape has changed how effective marketing can and should be approached. The shift has been made…the question is whether or not we (anyone involved in “marketing”) have recognized it and are responding accordingly.

Why this topic/book? Both in my church position and also for my freelance work (web/graphics design) - web marketing is a big part of what I am engaged in so this is a natural thing to stay informed about. If you are interested in my services (websites, blogs, SEO, graphics design, etc.) - contact me by clicking here. You can also read my web technologies blog over at www.webshoptalk.com.

The folks over at 43Folders.com have written extensively about this problem and their solution is referred to as “INBOX ZERO“. I can speak from personal experience and say that I am at my best, from a stress-level standpoint,  when I make the conscience effort to keep the inbox as close to zero as possible.

Presently, I’m a ways from getting back to my ideal. It’s amazing what a highly active couple of weeks can do to “the pile”.

Click here to check out the “Inbox Zero” section of 43folder.com.

All that to say, here is a site that is at least trying to weed through all the fluff and talk about the new apps being made available.

LINK: [ http://gotapps.com/ ]

Due to popular request - I will be posting my favorite iPhone apps shortly…

This is heart-wrenching and I must admit that it really breaks my heart to have encountered such deception from fellow believers. How can people drag the name of Christ through something so…un-Christ-like? I’m baffled and am once again feeling that bite of indignation.

All that to say - since I posted a glowing reference to this particular song in a previous post, I wanted to be candid with this shocking information.

God is still our Healer. Lord, save us from ourselves…and help us in our unbelief. For those reading this - pray for Michael and his family…that God would restore his mind and heal the pain he has caused.

HILLSONG HEALER…UMMmmm….WHAT?! «

HILLSONG HEALER…UMMmmm….WHAT?!
August 20, 2008

well..sometimes weird stuff happens in the world of ‘Christendom’ and sometimes you just don’t have words. this one is one of those ones where you go…WOW…that really happened. [ Read full entry ]

LINK: [ http://producten.hema.nl/ ]

Insights? For one - I must admit that I have, for the longest time, had a love-hate thing with TV & movies. At times it is good to sit back and really unwind…but the problem is that there aren’t that many good and wholesome films that really add anything to life. This weekend I saw a film that I’m still regretting sitting through (I regret not walking out) and it’s not even worth stating the name of the 2 hour experience that was an absolute waste of time…although I always enjoy time spent with friends. Maybe it’s time for another TV/Movie fast…like a mental detox.

Ok - back to the book experiment. I thought it would be good to recap what I’ve read so far…

WEEK ONE - “The Big Idea” by Dave Ferguson.

This was a fantastic read and more-so towards the end when the author really started putting the general concept together. This is a book designed for church leadership and I picked it up because the title has become a bit of a buzzword around the office. If you are a pastor or in lay leadership…this is a great example of a church that puts a lot of thought and prayer into stating a clear “big” idea to the entire church on a week to week basis.

WEEK TWO - “Desiring God” by John Piper.

This book is actually one that I started when I journeyed to India a couple of years ago and never completed. For those that read a lot of Christian doctrine/theology books, John Piper is a name that is well known and respected. One thing I’ve always enjoyed is the use of clever “word twists” and his sub-title provided just the kind of twist to get me hooked… “Meditation of a Christian Hedonist”. The great thing is that those two last words are so commonly thought to be at polar opposites that for John to use the term “Christian Hedonist” is almost like saying “I’m freezing hot”. However, John takes the reader on a journey to discover what he’s really driving at which is scripturally based and sound doctrine. While many of us may not be comfortable with the term “hedonist” - the larger point is that as Christians, we must recognize that God is glorified in our joy. To “trudge” through life and claim to be a “Christ follower” is at odds with the kind of life Christ called us to live. While life is not about us - what a great gift to be alive to please our heavenly father through a life filled with true, authentic joy…based in Him. I could go on - but to get a true sense of the message, I highly recommend that you put this book on your to-read list…you won’t regret it.

WEEK THREE (AND FOUR) - “The Robe” by Lloyd C. Douglas

Here’s another rare book in my collection that I have had for awhile but never read. It’s a novel that was published in 1942 and is the story of a Roman soldier who was there at Christ’s crucifixion. This book is quickly becoming a favorite and the author has woven a wonderful tale that captures the emotions and surroundings of an event that has literally shaken human history…and all this from the perspective of a pagan Roman soldier who took part in the brutal crucifixion of the Jew named Jesus of Galilee. The perspective is unique in that the narrative is not from a Christian or Jewish perspective but rather from that of one, a Roman citizen, who comes from an entirely different perspective, culture and social standing. Truly fascinating.

If any other brave souls out there want to join me in this…please feel free to leave a comment and we can keep tabs on our “adventures in print”.