Social media revolution

Well worth a watch, this video captures the importance of social media marketing and the power that social media has on our modern way of life. Take 5 and have a watch:

Our love / hate relationship with mobile technology

It seems like only yesterday mobile technology didn’t exist. Not so long ago we used Royal Mail to send letters, maps to find our way around and once you left the house the only way to speak to your friends was to use a payphone. Life has come a long way since then. Innovations in Mobile technology is moving at lightening speed and has already changed the way we do business and socialise in the modern world, but is it really such a welcome convenience?

The last such revolution was when we were first introduced to mobile phones. Practically overnight we found ourselves unable to live without our mobiles, when five minutes before we couldn’t see the point. But alongside this love of mobile phones brews a bitter taste as we suddenly realised nowhere was safe anymore. Now the boss / the other half / the kids could get hold of us anytime. Anywhere.

Our new found love of smart phones seems to be developing in a similar manner. Its fantastic how we can navigate our way to a meeting, check our emails on the train and upload photos from anywhere, but this ‘always on’ mentality means we get a whole lot less downtime. Now, as well as phonecalls, we can also be interrupted anywhere by incoming emails, the latest Facebook status or a breaking news item.

Although mobile technology is designed to help us stay in touch with our friends, in some ways it seems to have made us more isolated. Why bother making a phonecall to catch up with a mate, when it’s so much cheaper and more efficient to send an email? What’s the point in using petrol to pop round to a friends for coffee when we can catch up on the gossip with our instant messenger for free?

Going on holiday will never be the same again. By the time we get there we will have checked out the hotel on Google images, found out about the local area on Lonely Planet and already lined up the top 10 attractions on Trip Advisor. Going out for dinner? No longer do we cruise the high street to see what we fancy. By the time we get to town we’ll have read the reviews, downloaded the menu and found a money off voucher. All at the touch of a button (or screen).

Whilst all this is very useful and saves time in our busy lives, doesn’t it somewhat spoil the excitement? Sometimes getting a bit lost and wandering down a back road will reveal the best little Italian in town. And isn’t there something beautiful about visiting a new town and making your own mind up about the attractions, instead of relying on other people’s reviews?

There is no doubt that mobile technology has made things easier and is sure to continue to evolve and become more and more a part of our lives in the future. Still, sometimes I think we need to leave the smartphone at home and do things the old fashioned way. There has to still be a place in our lives for libraries, maps and exploring, otherwise where will we be if the internet stops working?

An Apple a Day...

I’m not a fan of Apple.

I don’t like the way their gear is three times the price of an equivalent bit of plastic from a Korean manufacturer.

I’m not a fan of the way they make everything they do completely incompatible with everyone else’s technology, thereby forcing you to worship at the church of Apple for all eternity. When you made that decision to buy an iPod Nano five years ago, little did you know it was leading you into a life of Macbooks, file converters and problems with anything Microsoft… a true case of living the i-life.

Having said all that, I have the greatest of respect for their chief priest and semi god, Steve Jobs. What a marketer! Steve has taught me a lot about life, love and success. Today I am using a Macbook in honour of one of the world’s greatest inventors, PR guru’s and marketing machines and wanted to share some of his ethos.

Follow your heart

Have a vision of what you want to do, then do what you need to your own way without letting external influences affect you. Almost everything, all external expectations from pride to fear of embarrassment, all this fades away in the face of death, leaving only the things that are really important. Remembering he was going to die (probably not as soon as he did) was one way Steve avoided thinking he had something to lose. There is no reason not to follow your heart.

Trust yourself

If you believe you can quit your day job and make a living as a freelancer, do it. You have to trust in something – karma, life, your gut, whatever – and then just grab that ticket and ride the wave.

Love what you do

You have to be committed to your business: your passion holds the key to success. The only way to do great work is to love what you do and put your heart and soul into it.

Quality over quantity every time

Don’t work for the money. Don’t sacrifice turning out 5 great projects in favour of 10 average ones. Your reputation will be in tatters, your ego dented and your self respect shamed.

Steal great ideas

(Yes, an odd one to take from Steve Jobs, I know, especially as Apple are in the midst of spending a zillion dollars trying to sue Samsung for nicking their designs) Read other people’s blogs, articles, see how successful companies market themselves. Understand the trends in the marketplace and the hot topics. Spending time on social networking sites is not always ‘skiving’, often it is the most valuable research you can do.

Don’t lose faith

Starting your own venture is hard. Whether it’s a business, a blog or project at home, there is a high chance of failure and giving up too soon. Focus on your dreams and set your goals one step at a time each day.

One of my favourite Steve Jobs quotes: 

Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. 

Don’t lose faith.

Thanks for the inspiration Steve.

Taxing Taxes!

Well, as my little business is finally getting an opportunity to take off, I feel it is time to set everything up properly.

Very helpfully it just happens to be 'tax week' on People Per Hour which means there have been some especially useful blog postings from their guest financial expert Elaine, Managing Director of the award winning company CheapAccounting.co.uk. As well as running an open drop in surgery for freelancers between 11am - 1pm each day, she has also shared some invaluable tips on how to deal with the financial side of being a small business.

Having read this post I am now wondering whether it is safer to set myself up as a sole trader or a limited company? The whole situation seems fraught with loopholes, tricks and techniques for maximising income and minimising tax; it really is very confusing for the average person.

Im very pleased to have found Elaine though, she's just brilliant. And if your head is being fried by taxes, have a look on her website or download the free guide to get a bit of assistance with self employment laws.