Intrepid LLC

I just discovered that the link to subscribe to receive email notices of new blogs posts was not working. My sincerest apologies.

I have corrected the problem. In the future, please notify me when you notice it isn’t working. And I promise to be more diligent in monitoring this in the future.

Thanks for your readership, and for your continued support of Intrepid!

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pic by joshua davis on flickr

OK, so I’ve just finished reading my 38th blog post on predictions for 2010. And I have read 26 posts on trends for 2010. So, I guess as a blogger, it is my duty to report on trends and predictions for the coming year. I will do this too. However, I will combine the two. So here are ten predictions and trends for 2010 – in no particular order. Well, except for #10 [which is most important...]:

1. Video will change everything. In fact, I predict that a majority of blogs in the next couple of years will become strictly video-based. As it becomes easier and easier to record, upload, and share quality video, people will jump on the bandwagon. The big question for 2010 appears to be “do it yourself” verses “hiring professionals.”
2. There will be a continued focus on improving the overall customer experience. The significant growth in use and understanding of social media in handling customer outreach, means we will see more and more use of these tools. In fact, just listening and responding to customer complaints online is no longer unique. Be on the lookout for the next big idea.
3. Social media, however you define it, will play an increasingly larger role with small businesses. It wasn’t long ago I read an article that said 76% of small business people saw no value in social media in terms of marketing their business. My prediction? That changes in 2010. Big time. And those who don’t figure out how to begin integrating it in 2010 – will be out of business in 2011.
4. Personal branding will be more important than ever before. Since we are moving away from cubicle nation, and more and more people are going entrepreneurial, I expect there to be a larger push from the masses on a strategic utilization of modern tools to build their personal brands. And this commonly heard statement that “Facebook is for my friends only…” will start to go away too.
5. Users of Social Media will achieve a better understanding of how to measure success and ROI. This is STILL the biggest mystery when it comes to the application of social media to business. How do you measure it’s success? How to I measure my return on investment. Since this question is asked one million times a day, I expect better and more articulate thought leadership on how people can get these questions answered. And I think the answer – the realization rather – will be different than most people expect…
6. Sharing will become recognized as a marketing tactic. If you don’t know what I mean by sharing (certainly in terms of social media), then you probably don’t believe in or practice this approach to marketing. Yet. But you better figure it out, because that’s where all this is heading…
7. There will be an explosion in mobile marketing. Yes, you will start getting marketing messages via text. And assuming you opt in for these, it will be the wave of the future. I am already exploring this for several clients. And I can only imagine the possibilities when more and more people get smart phones…
8. More people will learn how to make money online. [Including me!] I am in the midst of building and soon launching my very first online product with High Velocity. And now that I am moving into that space, I am realizing there is a lot of advice and thought leadership on the subject. But with case studies and a lot of lessons already learned, I think the marketplace will refine how people can achieve success in this endeavor.
9. Niche and passion marketing will finally be understood. Marketing thought leaders and teachers have been saying for generations that you must market towards a niche, and if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. Nothing new here, other than I believe that the masses will start understanding this, and creating business opportunities for themselves around a passion. This naturally leads to marketing towards a niche. The modern tools are there to really capitalize on this, and I think you will see a new movement…
10. People will begin to fearlessly JUMP, to dive in head first, to be intrepid, and take more risks. This attitude, this new way, is how you have to set yourself up to compete in the new world. People stuck in their shell, afraid to do anything wrong, will slowly fade away. I don’t mean that people will en mass begin to take silly, uncalculated risks. I just think people are beginning to realize they have to be a little less afraid to jump, and not be afraid of where they will land… What about you?

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The following video is very disturbing. It is a photo play from the HBO Miniseries Band of Brothers. I try to make it a point to put out video on Memorial Day and Veterans Day each year.

My purpose in showing this very difficult clip is to demonstrate two things: One, we are grateful for America’s servicemen and what they have done – and what they have sacrificed – to protect freedom throughout our history. And two, there is a lot of evil in the world, and sometimes, we have a duty – as freedom loving people – to stand and fight.

Thank you veterans, for all you have done.

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Give people HOPE!

OK, you know how I am always talking about how giving back is good marketing? You have another chance to participate and make a difference in some one’s life.

And you could and should do it in the name of you and your company! This helps people – and makes you and your company look good.

There’s an event in Atlanta early December that will raise money for the Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta and MUST Ministries. The event is the Not So Silent Night Holiday Bash!

Register for the event RIGHT HERE!

We look forward to having a great time AND doing some good all at the same time!

[Disclosure: I am on the Board of Directors for the Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta]

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You know, in this day and age, it would be pretty easy to get down. Tough economy, tricky world stage with North Korea and Iran, governments raising taxes and spending, difficult life decisions round every corner, and the Red Sox losing four in a row…

But everywhere you look, there are little inspirations that ought to raise you up. For me, this morning, it was the guy at the drive-thru window at Starbucks. He had an amazing attitude, was warm and pleasant, took sincere pride in every little thing he did from counting change to ensuring the lid was on nice and tight.

He took pride in his job. That’s always an inspiration to me. Not only did it leave a nice impression of Starbucks, but it gave me a nice boost to my difficult day ahead…

And I’ll take those little pick-me-ups any way I can get them. We ALL should look to have the same impact on people. Not only to improve our business, but more importantly, to improve the quality of life. Yours and theirs…

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Hello everyone. Just wanted to quickly touch base on the new look and feel for the Intrepid blog!

Did I really need to do this? Not really. But it is important that I did…

When I last updated my blog, that version went live in November 2008. If I only knew then what I know now…

You will find the new design is much simpler. Cleaner. Easier to read. Uses better tools to track metrics, and provides better tools to help you share content with people you think will benefit.

I want to have a better platform with which to shine a light on the ideas and content that I want to share with you.

So, this new design is for you. I hope you like it, but be sure to share with me any feedback by leaving a comment. See you soon!

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CHAIRish 09! What a great night!

Great friends, new friends, good food and drink, and an important cause. It is evenings like this that make life worth living.

It’s hard to go wrong when you can have a lot of fun – and help people at the same time! (CHAIRish is the main fundraiser for the Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta. We donate used furniture to families and individuals who have escaped homelessness, battle HIV, or have fled domestic violence.)

Last night’s event was great – but I have ambitious plans for 2010!

Working with the staff of Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta, we plan to make a big push to expand our presence in the social media space. We plan to explore and implement some innovative ideas to grow our fund raising base. And we will continually look for ways to improve our PR efforts.

We will need your help!

As a board member, I have the honor to serve this great organization. More importantly, this title allows me to reach out to my extended social media family, and ask for your help and ideas.

I now get the pleasure to solicit advice and counsel from friends like Melissa Galt and Stone Payton. (Pictured below – left to right – Todd Schnick, Christopher Muise, Melissa Galt, and Stone Payton) They and other friends, like my partners at GrowthANSWERS who were there in force last night, will be hearing from me, as I intend to solicit ideas, help and guidance from all of them to benefit our cause. I already have some great brainstorms just from many conversations last night at the event.

And there is so much more to come. You’ve read on these pages my belief that giving back is good marketing. I believe that more than ever, and I believe that it is needed more than ever. We are living through difficult times, but it warms my heart to see people willing to give forward to help people in need.

You can count on us at Intrepid to keep doing our part to help the community. Your help and support is always welcome too. Just get in touch with us through this website. If you want to help the Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta directly, you can help in three ways:

Donate money. Volunteer your time. Donate much needed furniture.

In the meantime, look to these pages as we do some fun and creative things to build our community, help our community, and serve our community! Thanks to everyone who made last night a success!

Be Intrepid.

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[Updated: Tuesday, 11 MAR, 100PM]

Blogging & Social Media Workshop conducted by wonder twins Todd Schnick & Russell Fair.

What you will learn:

You’ll learn about BLOGGING: How to set up a blog – Which blogging platforms are best – Strategies to get the most SEO pop out of your blog – How to drive “meaningful” traffic to your site.

You’ll learn about SOCIAL MEDIA: Understanding what social media is, and how it might apply to your business. Learn how to build community – Build relationships – Build awareness about you and your expertise – Distribute thought leadership. There will be a deep discussion about what tools and applications make the most sense to help you and your marketing effort.

Saturday, 14 MARCH 09. The session will run from 1000AM-300PM. Fee will be $100, and includes lunch, and probably not a healthy one at that. Call me 404.931.0969 or email me at todd@intrepid-llc.com to reserve a spot.

DETAILS:

1. Bring a laptop. There will be wifi.

2. Lunch is included.

3. Location is Blank Stage Productions. 585 Cobb Parkway S., Marietta GA 30060. Blank State is located in the Artisan Resource Center, behind Easy Rental, and next to Marietta Bowling Lanes.

4. Session runs from 1000AM to 300PM.

Questions? Post a comment below!

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I work out of my home. I am not much for setting up at a local coffee shop – to work anyway. I need peace, quiet, and a little jazz to concentrate on my work.

But in my home, I have identified a series of places I set up shop:

• My actual office
• The den
• Family room by the fire
• My wife’s office
• In bed
• The back deck overlooking the woods
• Kitchen table

All of these place serve different purposes. And I actually use each location for different tasks. I can’t settle in one place. I need a change of pace – of scenery – of mood.

I read blogs in bed, read news at the kitchen table, create by the fire and in the den, etc. You need to identify a place where you can feel good about working – achieving – creating – decompressing – clear thinking.

Some of you work at an office or in a cubicle – and perhaps you don’t have a place you can escape to be creative. Figure out a way to make your work space compatible to being creative. Remove distractions, add inspiring art to your walls, add soft music, clean your desk. You get the point.

To those of you who are mobile – maybe you can find a local coffee shop – a park or green space outside – use the conference room – or go to someone else’s office to collaborate.

The point is – you need to find your creative space – a place where you feel good and comfortable to do your best thinking and creating. And protect the integrity of that space – keep it simple – don’t let other things creep into that space and contaminate your ability to do what you do best there.

Got any creative ideas about how you can find your creative space?

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 From Seth Godin’s blog.

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