Rick Cooper, The PDA Pro

Mobile Advertising Trends

In the Bloglight: Practical Blogging

Your phone is likly to face an onsluaght of ads in the future. We've been able to steer clear of ads and telemarketers for the most part when it comes to our mobile phones. But, that is likely to change. According to Robyn Tippins,

"Apparently Ingenio is in the process of developing 2 more mobile advertising products that will be available later this year. Who wants to bet one of them makes gaming free on your phone and the other is either ringtones/wallpapers/etc (bling) or either utilizes RSS delivery of news in some way…"

The other product she mentions is Free 411.

Robyn Tippins is a member of the LinkedIn Bloggers.

Secrets of Financial Success

In the Bloglight: Personal Money Tips

I recently read the book The Richest Man in Babylon, written by George S. Clason. The book features a series of parables about ancient Babylon. They teach financial lessons about wealth, investment and living within your means. The stories are compelling. It even features some advice for sales professionals from the perspective of a merchant.

That leads me to our featured blog, Personal Money Tips, from James W. in Malaysia. He wrote recently about understanding financial terms and specifically about the Rule of 72. He doesn't claim to be a money expert, but offers suggestions and tips based on his personal experience.

The ability to manage your money is very critical for sales professionals. The nature of the profession is that you do not have a steady stream of income. You may have a salary, draw, commission, spiffs, and/or incentives. You may have multiple streams of income. So, it's critical to set some money aside to have during lean times.

I highly recommend you check out The Richest Man in Babylon. And, visit, Personal Money Tips for other suggestions. And, be sure to copy your favorite tips into a memo or note to transfer to your PDA. Tips make for great reading when you have some downtime between calls.

James is a member of the LinkedIn Bloggers.

Artists Are Marketers Too

In the Bloglight: The Artsy Asylum

Artists are creative people, but did you also know they are clever marketing and sales professionals too? Susan Reynolds, artist and blogger, says in her bio, "After work with various media outlets and directing art for a manufacturer, Susan shifted her focus to painting and independent projects while raising a family." In her projects, she often looks for coffee stirrers, bottle caps, yarn and just about anything that might make interesting impressions on paper.

She offers resources to artists for getting known. She also shares her strategies for gaining viewers for your artwork, gaining readers for your ezines or newsletters, or gaining any kind of attention for what you do. In her article Get Seen, Get Known, Get Buyers, she asks,

So how do we get our names and our work seen?

One word: Communication

• We can network
• We can blog
• We can send out newsletters and ezines

She goes on to explain how to build a list and offers a definition for viral marketing. I think we can learn best practices from looking at people in other industries. And, artists are certainly unique in their own way. So, check out The Artsy Asylum and let a little art into your life.

Susan Reynolds is a member of the LinkedIn Bloggers.

Do you File or Pile?

Leah Maclean asks whether you are a piler or a filer. While I deal mostly with electronic organization, the question is worth asking. It's all about how organized you are. She says,

"I must admit that when it comes to filing I have fit more into the category of piler rather than filer.  With both paper and electronic document I have been able to use the piling method and, in the past, still be able to say "I know just where it is".  In more recent times that ability to "just put my hand on what I'm looking for" has taken a turn for the worst."

I find the same to be true. I'm accumulating information at a rapid pace, and it often exceeds the capacity of my organizational system.  See her suggestions for more information on how you can overcome your own organization challenges.

Are Bloggers Reporters?

Joe Gandelman from The Moderate Voice states in his post Where The Blogosphere Has Succeeded And Failed,

"Today, there are still some blogs out there going out and doing reporting, or drawing on well-grounded experience in non-journalism fields or providing insightful analysis. But many, many more blogs are forsaking fact-gathering for the venting of straight-up, raw anger."

Only a portion of bloggers emulate reporters. Joe is on the right track in assuming the many blogs state personal opinions. And, there's nothing wrong with that as long as the audience understands that.

Andy Wibbels Releases BlogWild

My good friend and blog mentor, Andy Wibbels, the original Blogging Evangelist, released BlogWild in print. This guide for small business blogging is the #1 business blogging book. Tris Hussey offers more information about the book's release. Way to go Andy! Great job!

Global Conversations Cloud Creative Content

Jeremiah Owyang posts on the topic of Global Conversations in his blog Web Strategy by Jeremiah. It continues our discussion on free speech and the technology that will enable greater communication worldwide.

Jeremiah makes some good points. He says,

"I’ve been fascinated with the concept of mass empowerment for the global conversation. A few days ago, I discussed the anticipation of the 50 dollar laptop, and how it can benefit humanity. Where everyone has the opportunity to be online, communicate, grow and learn --That’s what healthy web geeks should think about."

I would agree that everyone has the right and should have the opportunity to be online, communicate, grow and learn. Technology may ultimately be an equalizer in reducing the racial divide by creating opportunities in poverty-stricken communities by giving hope, knowledge and access to resources. This is all good.

My concern is more-so that the proliferation of websites, blogs, and other online tools will increase the number of web pages to a point that it will be difficult to cut through the morass of chitchat, gossip and rumor-mongering. The quality of content is likely to plunge dramatically even as the enlightened online thoughts of intelligent thinkers emerge.

Don't get me wrong, the march of technology will continue. This is as inevitable as snow in winter. In referencing Seth Godin on Small is the New Big, Jeremiah ensures us that,

"Even with increased content, we’re not in the state of Information Overload, we’re approaching the era of Information Control. "

I honestly hope so,  but my personal experience has been that it is getting more difficult to find quality information, especially when using search engines like Google. There are tools like Squidoo that intend to offer avenues to locate quality content. And, of course, bloggers have become online guides purporting to hold your hand in exploring the online world. Even technology expert Dave Taylor grumbles about his dissatisfaction with RSS Readers.

I have no concerns for the tech-savvy as they have a greater knowledge of online tools and resources. My concern is for the untold millions that are trying to grasp the infinite possibilities available on the Internet and are often overwhelmed by the seemingly endless content. As an expert on PDAs and mobile technology, I know all too well how frustrating it can be to search for online information in a mobile browser. This will improve as high speed connections become more available for mobile users and people begin opting for tablet and mini-tablet PCs (such as Origami) which will offer a more satisfying online experience.

Younger generations are now born with the tools of technology placed in their hands. The tech-savvy will inherit the earth. However, the silent majority still struggle and will be left further behind as online content spirals out of control. Free speech is overrated, although it is our inherent right. Global conversatons will lift spirits and improve life, while at the same time fueling hatred and encouraging strife. This is the nature of things. Let us exercise responsibility and practice patience as we encounter people from other cultures. Let us appreciate the diversity that is mankind. And, let us pray that things will improve and let's make it happen!

So, the debate rages on. What do you think? Are we on the path to information overload or information control? Will the global conversation become a shouting match? Chime in and stay tuned!

Free Speech is Overrated

Free speech is truly overrated. Just because people have the right to speak and share ideas doesn't necessarily mean that people will say anything meaningful. In fact, as more people have the capability to share their ideas globally, it will pollute the collective consciousness of society.

In his blog, Web Strategy by Jeremiah, Jeremiah Owyang says,

"Enablement software is for the global community, and can empower individuals to enter the global conversation at no cost –just add internet. "

It reminds me of my favorite quote from Jurassic Park, from Dr. Ian Malcom played by Jeff Goldblum,

"I'll tell you the problem with the scientific power that you're using here: it didn't require any discipline to attain it. You read what others had done and you took the next step. You didn't earn the knowledge for yourselves, so you don't take any responsibility for it. You stood on the shoulders of geniuses to accomplish something as fast as you could and before you even knew what you had you patented it and packaged it and slapped it on a plastic lunchbox, and now you're selling it, you want to sell it! "

Now granted Jeremiah is advocating free tools to extend this global conversation, but nothing is truly free. Someone's making a buck somewhere along the way.

You might be asking yourself what this has to do with PDAs. In fact, it has a lot to do with PDAs, because mobility will create more opportunities to broadcast, share and report on life as it happens. It's already happening. And, that will have some drastic consequences. We've already seen the Iranian government harrassing bloggers in that country. My fear is that ever increasing free speech will ultimately result in governments curtailing our rights. Even Singapore has indicated it's going to ban podcasts during the next election.

I guess I'm arguing for measured growth so we can avoid total anarchy. Learn more about Smart Mobs to see how anarchist groups are utilizing technology to swarm public places. Mobile technologies are expected to be used increasingly in upcoming elections. Do you think this behavior might be disruptive? I think so. This trend will only continue. And, what are we to do when terrorists begin using these tools?

Think about it.  Take responsibility for the technology you create and exercise caution. If that doesn't concern you, consider how long it will be before artificial intelligence truly emerges and machines really begin thinking for themselves. But that's a topic for another day.

Bottom line, I'm playing devil's advocate to a certain extent. I don't want to dishonor the U.S. troops who have died in defense of our civil liberties and freedoms. I believe in free speech but we have to exercise caution or else we stand to lose those rights. But, I do think technology advances faster than societies change. See my recent post about the kosher phone for an example of society rejecting technology, or at least constraining the freedoms it offers.

So, be careful of what you create. Let's remember the parable of Frankenstein. Just because you have the technology to create something doesn't necessarily mean it's a good thing! Thank you for your indulgence.

[Member, LinkedIn Bloggers]

Updates:

4-08-06 Jeremiah Owyang posts Global Conversations are Polluting the Collective Consciousness? I Disagree.

4-08-06 Rick Cooper posts Global Conversations Cloud Creative Content

4-08-06 Rick Cooper posts Five Simple Strategies to Muffle Online Pollution

4-08-06 Mike Sansone posts Whistle Stops - 04/08/06

4-09-06 Mike Sansone posts Have Your Say - It's Important to Somebody

4-09-06 Jeremiah Owyang posts Mike the conductor whistles in