One of my friends recently got one of the best birthday gifts an ambitious guy can get: the modern self-help classic It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want To Be by former creative director for Saatchi and Saatchi Paul Arden. The marketing maverick died in April, but I think about his common sense lessons on a daily basis.

At first, the book seems kind of cheesy,…

Continue reading Paul Arden: “do not seek praise, seek criticism”

As you might know, I’m co-organizing BLOG08 – the international blogging conference in Amsterdam on October 24. Edial Dekker and I have invited famous blogging heroes like Mashable’s Pete Cashmore, Gapingvoid’s Hugh MacLeod, and CEO of Lookery, Scott Rafer to inspire (corporate) bloggers all around the world. So far, people from Poland, the US, Sweden, Estonia, United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Spain, and the Netherlands have purchased tickets.

Nobody from France…

Continue reading A video interview with Loic Le Meur about blogging

Kevin Kelly’s legendary essay about a 1000 true fans was an eye-opener for many people who had been trying to live from what they love to do most. He wrote that whether you’re a blogger, musician, aspiring film maker, or painter: you’re in need of a 1000 fans who are willing to spend 100 dollars per year on your work (acquisitions, merchandise, donations, tickets, you name it).

Since this article…

Continue reading How to get true fans: pick a sentiment

Yes that’s right, I’m working on an ebook and a conference about blogging. Both will be in Dutch, as I think the English speaking people have enough resources on their hand. Most Dutch people also speak English, yet I feel a local approach is the right way to go. There are major differences between the US and Dutch blogosphere, only the differences in size would be enough reason to go…

Continue reading An ebook and conference about blogging are coming up

Yesterday Edial Dekker and me had a couple of beers in Amsterdam’s most interesting cafe, De Engelbewaarder (The Angelkeeper). We were discussing our upcoming blog conference BLOG08 and tried to think of original ways to promote the whole thing. In order to get a good brainstorm vibe going on, I made two groups of four coasters and asked Edial to write up four PR ideas. I did the same thing.…

Continue reading A twist on a classic brainstorming tool