You know those blogs you run across that say, “Sorry I haven’t posted in a while,” and you look back and their last post was three months earlier, and so on, and on? I’m not going to say sorry that I haven’t posted in what, six days? Something like that. I’m just going to try to be honest about it:
I freaked out, just a little bit. I got stuck.
I think it was because too much happened last week, and I couldn’t process it all. I told you that I had a couple of epiphanies that I was going to write about next, and then more things happened, and more things, and I couldn’t keep track of them all. They were good things, mind you, but I feel like one of those robots in a bad sci-fi movie that gets overloaded and stops operating. Must be a flake thing.
So I might as well do another brain dump:
- About those epiphanies I mentioned: they really deserve their own post. Plus I can only remember one of them right now; that’s the trouble with not taking good notes. So here’s a note about the one I do remember: Instead of focusing on what you’re going to blog about, focus on your products. Use those ideas to generate blog posts. That way, you’ve got a strategy built in, plus you’re not dithering away all your time writing posts that don’t serve your purpose, and they’ll do double duty. Got this idea from the fabulous Elizabeth Potts Weinstein.
- I did an awesome interview about fear with the QUEEN of Awesome, Catherine Caine. I consider myself an expert on fear [having lived in fear of it for most of my life] so it was a slam-dunk. I can hardly wait to hear the other interviews — and it won’t be much longer. Yay!
- Had an amazing consult with Wendy Maynard, the social media marketing guru, who also did an audit of this site. Lots of things to fix/add, so I have my work cut out for me. The most important thing on my to-do list from Wendy: get a mailing list sign-up box in the upper right corner. I’m proud to say I pushed through my irrational fear of this process, and you can see the result. So, go! Sign up! You’ll make me very happy — AND you’ll get on my Advance Discount list for future flaky goodness! Who wouldn’t want that? 🙂
- The other thing on the to-do list is even scarier. Wendy says I need to put a pic of myself in the header and the About page. And I’m supposed to play up my age because others will be drawn to me because of it. Ahem. There is a reason I don’t put pictures of myself on the web, and my avatar is a beautiful red, poppy painting by Georgia O’Keeffe instead of a snapshot of me: I don’t like the way I look. I’m 63, overweight, pasty-white, can’t wear makeup, have grey hair [well, I like that], and my wardrobe is embarrassingly comfortable. Not businesslike at ALL. But I know Wendy is right, so I’m going to take a deep breath and ask someone to take a lot of photos of me. Eventually, one or two will pass muster and I’ll put it up here. Meanwhile, this is what I’ve got, in case you’re curious.
- I’ve now done three voice coaching sessions and learned a lot in the process. Also met three really nice people. 🙂
- I’m leaning toward focusing on voice coaching rather than doing reviews of audio gear because, frankly, I’m not experienced enough with sound gear to be making recommendations. Fortunately, though, I found a guy who really knows his stuff — Mark Jensen at New Media Gear. Hoping to work out some kind of mutually beneficial arrangement with him. I highly recommend you browse New Media Gear and watch his videos, if you want to create a high-quality podcast or other audio product. The equipment he tests isn’t cheap but if you’re serious about using audio as part of your business, I think it’s well worth the investment.
- I’m ready to offer five more free voice coaching sessions to my readers — because I need the practice! This is for anyone who is creating audio products now, or thinking about it. If you want to sound more animated, speak more clearly, or just want to chat with me on the phone and do some fun vocal exercises, now’s your chance. Just speak up in the comments below and we’ll set up a half-hour session.
Come on, it’ll be fun! I’d love to meet you.
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LaVonne – so happy to see you for the first time. You're look delightful…no wait…make that awesometastic. I LOVE your long white hair and the twinkle in your eye. Wooo-hooo!
Aww, I'm all misty-eyed now. I do like that photo, but the quality is pretty
bad. I'd like a similar one, only with better skin!
I'm so not photogenic – at all – but realized at some point people like to put a face with a name. That said, your picture looks great. It gets easier over time.
To anyone reading this, and wondering if you should do vocal coaching: I say Do It! I have a lot of notes from my session, and LaVonne has given me a lot to think about in terms of how I speak and how to get my ideas across better verbally.
BTW, I think you're a nice person, too. 🙂
Hi LaVonne, Great to finally SEE you! I too was hiding behind my avatar for months. Totally unacceptable for me though, because I'm a photographer with a full studio's worth of equipment to take portraits! Go figure. Someone finally nailed me on it, so I gave myself a week to get something of me online.
I suggest to everyone doing business online that they get a professional looking portrait taken to put on their website. Those webcam/iSight photos just do NOT cut it. The lenses usually give people distorted looks and the lighting is hard to control when you're sitting in your office.
Ask around for a recommendation for a portrait photographer. I charge $125 (all in) for a business portrait session. (If you lived a bit closer, we could do a trade.) That includes shooting fee (at my location), plus retouching, skin smoothing, and a couple of sizes of the final file, so you have it ready to go on your blog.
I'm not going to suggest “asking a student,” because my students are fed up with people asking them for cheap work for their “portfolio.” Trust me on this. If you know a willing student, that's okay, but it would be easier to try my next suggestion.
Now if you don't have the budget for a professional portrait, go to Sears, or Walmart, or someplace like that, and see what portrait services they offer and what they charge and see if they'll give you the files. Better than nothing. If you go on a slow day and have a nice photographer, you may get a better session. Avoid the Saturday “family photo shoot” crowd.
Keep us posted!
Hello LaVonne! Lurker-come-out-of-hiding here. It's awesome to see a pic of you! I know I could catch a lot of criticism for saying this, but I like having a visual of someone so I can get a feeling for who they are and whether or not they're someone I can relate to. Seeing your picture makes me like you and trust you even more. Hopefully, Wendy was able to illustrate a similar point more eloquently. 🙂
Oh dearest, I was so glad to see your delightful face!
Thanks for the great tips, Marlene! I loved seeing your pic too, much as I love your cartoon avatar. I was thinking of getting one myself, after I sell enough to pay for it. I've decided not to buy any more products or services for this site until I do — which should light a fire under me to CREATE something. 🙂
Thank you, Misty! I'm so glad to hear that, and I think you're a pretty nice person yourself. Love your red hair, btw.
Hi Kerrie, so glad to 'meet' you! Thank you so much for the compliment, that really makes my day. No more lurking, now. We expect to see you here in the comments again. 🙂
Aw, thank you, sweetie. I've been admiring your photo and would like to have one that is as sunny and happy as yours.
I started using this photo because it is the only photo of me in the last five years that I didn't totally hate. And I still think my gums are waaaay too prominent. 🙂
I started using this photo because it is the only photo of me in the last five years that I didn't totally hate. And I still think my gums are waaaay too prominent. 🙂
I always hated my smile because I think my gums show too much and my teeth
are too small — but you know what? It doesn't matter. I have a warm,
friendly smile that people are drawn to. So do you. I wonder if people were
this self-critical before photography, movies, TV and advertising? No, I
don't wonder. What must that be like, though? THAT, I wonder.
Yes, I've also put a moratorium on buying any more “lessons” until I produce something which brings money in! So tempting though. All those special offers coming at us every week! Hopefully someone will feel that way about OUR special offers someday soon! Here's to a productive streak for both of us. !!!
You know, part of me wonders if this isn't just a massive Ponzi scheme and
we're the last ones to jump in. Just sayin'.
Well LaVonne, you don't look 63, and you've got a lovely, open face. I might take you up on your vocal coaching; I'm not enamoured with my weird English/Northern accent just lately. Also, why is it that as soon as you start recording your tongue seems three times too large for your mouth??
Jane, I would love to work with you on your voice! I don't have experience
with accents, however, so all I can do is help you speak clearly with the
accent you have. We all have them; mine is from Minnesota — think of the
movie, Fargo. 😉
Unfortunately, I don't have Skype so I can't call you, but if you have
Skype, I believe the call would only cost you a few pennies. Otherwise, not
sure how much a half-hour call to California would cost you. What do you
think?
Ha, you kill me! Yes, okay, perhaps I had wondered about the ponzi possibility too, maybe just a bit. Don't want to jinx myself tho'.
Just got this now, a day late, as I've had a day of not doing a thing towards my project – a flaky day indeed! My excuses: Grocery shopping, out of town guests arriving in 2 days, walk with the neighbor, and generally celebrating that the sun is finally shining again after 4 days of snow and cold. Tomorrow is another day! I shall try again.
I'll have a look into Skype costs. However, I've got a Talk Internatonal package and I speak to my friend in Texas for more than half an hour and it's actually cheaper than calling someone locally!
We'll get it set up this week!
That's great! You can schedule an appointment here:
https://my.timedriver.com/DZZ2P
My phone # is: 1-619-644-0853
Talk to you soon!
LaVonne Ellis
The Complete Flake
<http://completeflake.com>Getting Business Done in Spite of Yourself
1-619-644-0853
My profiles: [image:
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You look familiar – have we met offline before? SCA, sci-fi, random meeting on the street? In any case, glad to 'meet' you now. 🙂
Would love to remember how to access my good recording voice, so if you still have a free slot available I'd love to take you up on it. I think I'm finally starting to remember a little bit, but I'm sure some proper coaching would help, so I could do it more consciously.
I used to hear I look familiar all the time — haven't heard it in years. I
don't go out much, so it's highly unlikely we've met, unless you live in San
Diego. I went to a couple ComiCon's a few years ago but was hardly
memorable. 🙂
I've got one slot left! I'll send you an invitation to schedule an
appointment.
hi lavonne:-)
i'd love to work with you on some voice coaching. i'm working on my first mini-product due to dave's prompting and fabolous workbook. it would greatly boost my confidence to get some voice coaching. i'm also just listening to a recording of a coaching session i just did and i say “like” WAAAAY too much!
(i think we're both in MBEM, right?:-))
hope we can make something work.
Hi Ije,
I'd love to work with you on your voice. 🙂 You can schedule an appointment
here:
https://my.timedriver.com/DZZ2P
Talk to you soon!
LaVonne Ellis
Voice Coach AND The Complete Flake
<http://completeflake.com>Getting Business Done in Spite of Yourself
My profiles: [image:
Facebook]<http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Complete-Flake/122608314419705>%5Bimage:
Twitter] <http://twitter.com/LaVonneEllis>%5Bimage: Blog
RSS]<http://feeds.feedburner.com/TheCompleteFlake>
Hi Ije,
I'd love to work with you on your voice. 🙂 You can schedule an appointment
here:
https://my.timedriver.com/DZZ2P
Talk to you soon!
LaVonne Ellis
Voice Coach AND The Complete Flake
<http://completeflake.com>Getting Business Done in Spite of Yourself
My profiles: [image:
Facebook]<http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Complete-Flake/122608314419705>%5Bimage:
Twitter] <http://twitter.com/LaVonneEllis>%5Bimage: Blog
RSS]<http://feeds.feedburner.com/TheCompleteFlake>
LaVonne, this is so funny because your feelings about your appearance are so like mine. And we both need to quit thinking like that!
It really is true that if you just be yourself, those who understand and appreciate that will recognize and love you. I actually remember a Brady Bunch episode where Carol told Jan something like, “If you're not being yourself, how will the right people recognize you?” That struck me as brilliant even at age 8 or 9. 🙂 (Did I just admit to watching The Brady Bunch in front of the whole world?)
AND may I add that you are absolutely beautiful and the fact that you look like a real person makes you infinitely more approachable and attractive to me than if you were all gussied up and put-on.
Finally, as a fellow pasty-white person, I've come to the realization that people who act as though pale skin were a bad thing are *racist*. I am of British decent. Brits are pasty. Got a problem with that? The same people who act like my ultra-whiteness is a crime would never make a statement like that about the skin color of someone of another race. Food for thought!
What's fantastic is that we are in a new world. Our naturalness and the fact that we're not “business-like” can be part of our BRAND. Cool.
Pasty-whiteness, in my case, is a result of spending all my time in front of a computer. It's compounded by an aversion to sunlight touching my skin, after too many bad sunburns as a kid. Plus I'm Swedish/Irish/English, so whaddyagonnado?
I like the idea of making not being businesslike part of our brand. That's good. Btw, how come you haven't put your link in there so I, and others, can check out your site? Inquiring minds want to know!
Yes, I haven't used Disqus before, and I messed up! You can visit me at http://www.YourBusinessYourSelf.com (not officially launched yet) or http://www.DecisiveByNature.com. Thanks for your interest. 🙂
I found your site by checking your Twitter profile. Love it. 🙂
Decisive by Nature — now there's a great domain for flakes like me!
LaVonne, this is so funny because your feelings about your appearance are so like mine. And we both need to quit thinking like that!
It really is true that if you just be yourself, those who understand and appreciate that will recognize and love you. I actually remember a Brady Bunch episode where Carol told Jan something like, “If you're not being yourself, how will the right people recognize you?” That struck me as brilliant even at age 8 or 9. 🙂 (Did I just admit to watching The Brady Bunch in front of the whole world?)
AND may I add that you are absolutely beautiful and the fact that you look like a real person makes you infinitely more approachable and attractive to me than if you were all gussied up and put-on.
Finally, as a fellow pasty-white person, I've come to the realization that people who act as though pale skin were a bad thing are *racist*. I am of British decent. Brits are pasty. Got a problem with that? The same people who act like my ultra-whiteness is a crime would never make a statement like that about the skin color of someone of another race. Food for thought!
What's fantastic is that we are in a new world. Our naturalness and the fact that we're not “business-like” can be part of our BRAND. Cool.
Pasty-whiteness, in my case, is a result of spending all my time in front of a computer. It's compounded by an aversion to sunlight touching my skin, after too many bad sunburns as a kid. Plus I'm Swedish/Irish/English, so whaddyagonnado?
I like the idea of making not being businesslike part of our brand. That's good. Btw, how come you haven't put your link in there so I, and others, can check out your site? Inquiring minds want to know!
Yes, I haven't used Disqus before, and I messed up! You can visit me at http://www.YourBusinessYourSelf.com (not officially launched yet) or http://www.DecisiveByNature.com. Thanks for your interest. 🙂
I found your site by checking your Twitter profile. Love it. 🙂
Decisive by Nature — now there's a great domain for flakes like me!