Blog challenged? Finding your passion

The problem with blogs is that you have to write the damn things! And in order to keep them relevant you also have to keep them current. Mea culpa. I have no one to blame but myself for being the "barefoot blogger". Months (OK -- more than a year) pass between updates. So being a big believer in getting a head start on New Year's resolutions, I resolve to update Bald Ego on a more regular basis.

If only I could hire someone to write my blog for me! Of course I could. But that would put me back in the same category as the cobbler so busy that his own kids go bare foot. In fact, since my last post I have been writing plenty for other people and clients. I have had numerous articles published either under my byline or someone's else. The topics have ranged from client profiles, most notably, on the long-time President and CEO of the not-for-profit National Minority Business Council, to articles about trends in real estate, my other profession.

But what has become my passion of late is starting my Pulitzer Prize-winning play. At "least" winning the Pulitzer is my goal. I'm now about half-way through the umpteenth draft of my script. I am quite serious about not only getting the play finished but produced. As for the Pulitzer? Sure, it's a dream and a long-stretch but some one has to win. Maybe the jury that nominates plays to receive the Pulitzer Drama Award will be intrigued by the fact that this is an entry from someone who is not 20-something -- or 30-something, or 40-something. Maybe if I stick to it I will still be 50-something! To keep the dream alive, when friends ask me what the play is about my response is that they can buy a ticket to opening night and find out.

But as with all good writing, it takes time. I rarely can just knock-out an essay for a client or more dialogue for my play. Even letters and e-mails can be challenging to compose especially when you want every word to count. With concern that the audience for the published word is shrinking, with much of what we read now being delivered electronically, I am also always looking for new venues for what I write, for my clients and myself, so that it reaches its targeted audiences. Demographics play a role in this. Case in point:

One of my clients is a not-for-profit that produces amazing jazz concerts in Westchester that headline top musicians who perform regularly in New York City and/or on-tour. It made the decision recently that it would only be sending e-mail reminders about its upcoming concerts since two of its last four mailings never got delivered or were delivered after-the-fact by the U.S. Post Office. Since the organization works on a tight budget I can understand why it does not want to continue spending money on a service that is not delivering -- literally. But as I conduct a visual survey of its most loyal and long-time concert attendees, I wonder how many of them have e-mail addresses. And if they do, how often do they check their e-mail on a regular basis? Many are seniors. I know that I am stereotyping as several seniors are quite computer savvy including being active on facebook and other social media tools. But attendance at these concerts has always been lower when the snail mail promotion does not arrive in advance of the performance. This is despite the fact that several other audience outreach efforts have been made -- but many of which are electronic.

The point that I want to make here with this post is "Know your audience." How does your audience get its news? Where does it look for information? Is blogging right for you? We have a tendency to assume that everyone looks at e-mail, that everyone reads newspapers, that everyone relies on popular Web sites to get at least some, if not all, of the news that interests them. My experience is that this is not the case and that it is a generational thing. For example, my parents are in their 90s and still going strong. But they don't own a computer. They have a cell phone that they don't use. When I go for a visit I either have to try to hack into a neighboring, unprotected Internet connection to get my e-mail fix or I visit the local public library to use its signal. (Yeah, I know, I could and should upgrade my own cell phone in order to get 24/7 access to the Internet and e-mails.)

I am also an adjunct professor (another reason why I have not had as much time lately to write this blog). At the start of each semester I advise my students that I am a big e-mail user and that they have to get in the habit of checking their e-mails on a daily basis to see if I have sent out a communique about the class and assignments. Inevitably, one or more students will tell me -- after the fact -- that they didn't read their e-mail. That's because fewer and fewer members of Generation Next (18-25 years old) don't e-mail. They barely use their cell phones for phone calls. They text (including during class which annoys the hell out of me). So do I end up texting every one instead, something that I find taxing -- especially on my vintage flip phone? (Like I said, time to upgrade!)

The answer is adaptation. Adapting to not only your audience but to new technologies for reaching them. It's not about using technology just for the sake of it (a habit of another colleague and it drives me nuts!). It's about staying current. Just like I intend to keep this blog more current. In fact, today's Bald Ego update was inspired by another new technology and trend: Steep discounts offered short-term online and via e-mail and text promotions. So I decided to give it a try, in conjunction with the the eve of my 30th Anniversary of being self-employed. Here's a link to the offer:

http://deals.westchestermagazine.com/DailyDeal/Offer/8f118d6e-eb5b-4cab-a76d-778b356a47aa?referrer=mailchimp&utm_source=DailyDealEmail&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=8f118d6e-eb5b-4cab-a76d-778b356a47aa

Since I am not really expecting to be overwhelmed by responses, I am extending the same deal to all Bald Ego readers through the month of January 2012. Maybe you'll be inspired to take action by taking advantage of this very generous offer. I guarantee, it will be $99 well spent!