What They Don’t Tell You About Successful Product Launches

Hi Everyone, When reading a great article today on ProBlogger by Darren Rowse, entitled How To Get Things Done When You're Feeling Overwhelmed, (interestingly, it has been retweeted nearly 500 times, so it seems that those of us feeling overwhelmed are certainly not alone!)...

I came across another great article by Darren: What They Don't Tell You About Successful Product Launches - which I watched first in video form (Darren is very genuine and great to watch and listen to - I highly recommend the video), but then I read the transcript as well.

Essentially, Darren says the following (but in a more animated way and with more anecdotes):

1. Build a Content Base.  He emphasized that this does not happen overnight, but that a genuine content base takes time.  He said he has been building his online content base over the last 8 (!) years.

2. Build Relationships.  "Every day you have the opportunity to take yourself closer to that big launch by getting to know someone else on the web, whether that be a potential reader, whether that be another blogger, whether that be just someone who’s interested in the same kind of stuff as you on Twitter, you never know where those relationships will take you."

3. Build Your Skill Set.  Add to your repertoire daily.  Learn new things. Connect more dots.

4. Build Your Email List.  Build a greater audience, over time, and be rewarded with a bigger launch impact.

Darren concludes:

"I guess the point of this video is not to come up with a conclusive list of things that you can do that will take you closer to your, your goals one day, but it’s to get you to think about what you can do today, what you can do tomorrow and to think about some of those little things that will take you closer to your ultimate goals.

Set yourself some tasks this week. Just little things that you can do, posts that you can write, people that you can interact with, just features that you can add to your blog, new skills that you can learn. All of these things will take you closer to that ultimate goal.

It’s great to have the idea of a big product launch in the back of your mind, but at the front of your mind needs to be these sorts of daily activities that will take you closer to that."

I highly recommend Darren's video. Have a great weekend!  Andrea

Successful Living Abroad: Expat Expert Robin Pascoe's Video Lectures Now Online

Hello Everyone, I am excited to announce today that at last, those of you who were not fortunate enough to enjoy Robin Pascoe's lectures in person during her international speaking tours, you can now enjoy online video lectures from Robin, absolutely free!

Just click here (...and no, unlike many sites, there is no compulsory sign-up to be able to view the lectures).  You are free to come and go from the lectures at any time.

Semi-retired from the speaking circuit, but never one to sit too still, Robin has teamed up with a (fellow Canadian) professional cinematographer to present these nearly 20 (approximately 3-minute) lectures, perfect for trailing spouses and/or expat families living the global nomad life abroad.

If you have not yet read Robin's books, this is a great opportunity to see what Robin and her books are all about. Thanks again Robin, for providing another high-value resource for our expat community!

Warmest wishes for your day/evening, Andrea.

Need A Smile? Check Out The JK Wedding Entrance Dance

Hi Everyone, Occasionally, we'll include a video on our blog if it grabs our attention or gives us a 'feel good' feeling. This one does...

If you are not one of the 23+ million people who have already viewed the JK Wedding Entrance Dance, take a few minutes and give yourself a smile...

Full marks to Jill and Kevin for turning their unexpected fame into a positive outcome - setting up a website and asking people to donate to an institute that helps prevent domestic violence.

Thanks to my friend Dr Angela Huntsman, an expat American in Australia, for sending it through.

Enjoy! Andrea.

Anita Roddick & Jack Canfield Videos

Hi Everyone, I watched an interesting, six-minute video with Anita Roddick (aka Mrs Body Shop), thanks to a link in the Women Unlimited e-newsletter last week. Anita talks about what it really meant to her to be a female entrepreneur. If you were an Anita Roddick fan and/or a budding expat women entrepreneur, grab your coffee and take a look.

On the same page, you might like to also watch the one-minute, Jack Canfield (of Chicken Soup For The Soul fame) video about Planning Your Day. I watched it and it surprisingly hit home to me - as I am someone who writes a to-do list but who really does need to 'plan' my day for better effectiveness. If you are like me, maybe take a minute to watch this video too.

PS. Fifteen years on, did you know the Chicken Soup For The Soul empire are still looking for submissions to their books? I took a quick read just now of their current guidelines, and whilst they only pay US$200 if your submission is published in one of their books (plus give you 10 free copies of the book), having your name in a series like this could only be a good thing, especially if you are a writer or someone wanting to build your profile/credibility, yes?

Enjoy your week, Everyone! Andrea.