To my beloved blog readers,

During this time of year-end reflection, I notice myself thinking about what matters. Gratitude for you comes to mind.

Thank you for your support of my work by reading my blog and possibly showing interest in more ways (attending events, referring clients to me, etc.). Since my work is an expression of my life’s purpose, your support and interest mean the world to me.

I’m including a photo of me enjoying that Whoosh of trust and flow as I rapidly sled downhill. On that day, it reminded me of my option to choose trust on the ride of self-employment. I’m glad that I often remember to go with the flow. I hope you’re experiencing that flow feeling too.

Year in Review

As I look back on my year, I’m especially excited to share these milestones with you:

• I enjoyed speaking at numerous events including the 18th Annual Women Business Owners Conference, U.Mass. Eisenberg School of Business, PodCamp, Western Mass Business Expo, and the Women Business Owners Association series at Bay Path College.
• I led my networking workshop for wallflowers at U.Mass. and got invited to lead it at U.Conn. in 2012.
• I made some wonderful new connections at those events.
• I hired an e-learning specialist to help me create an online version of my networking workshop (in the works).
• I had a significant increase in business over last year.
• I’m finally starting my e-newsletter.
• I assisted at two coaching trainings which deepened my passion for coaching.
• Most importantly, I’ve had the honor of helping people clarify their life’s work and bring it into reality — defying the economy and other fears.

Now I’m breathing and taking in this abundance.

What about you? What milestones come to mind as you look back on your year? I invite you to write it down and perhaps leave a comment below.

May this season bring you time to appreciate all that’s here already and all that’s possible.

Best wishes and happy holidays,

Val Nelson

Image by Kristina B via Flickr

Blogging isn’t for everyone but it can be far more useful for businesses, organizations, and individuals than most people think.

Here are the practical reasons why I choose to blog despite all the other things demanding my attention.

Practical Reasons Why I Blog

1. Blogging sharpens my skills at expressing myself in my field of expertise.
2. It forces me to check up on my knowledge and opinions before hitting “publish.”
3. It keeps me alert for and learning about new trends in my field.
4. It’s an easy place to refer people when I want to explain more of my thoughts.
5. It gives me better attention from search engines. Search engines love fresh content and often reward it with higher ranks.
6. It creates opportunities for conversations with people interested in the same topics.
7. It shows I care when I give away free information. (Good marketers give first.)
8. It’s an easy place to store my thoughts and information.
9. It provides an easy format for people to leave comments and interact. (Scroll down to comment on this post.)
10. It provides an easy and common way for people to subscribe to my updates (via RSS or email), so we can stay in touch.
11. It provides regular writing practice. We could all benefit from improved writing skills.
12. It sharpens my web writing skills.
13. It sharpens my visual presentation skills.
14. It’s a sample for prospective clients of my knowledge and approach.
15. It’s a writing sample for people seeking help with communications.
16. It sharpens my knowledge of blogging which better prepares me to help clients with blogging.

And that’s just the practical reasons! I also blog because it’s fun!

In fact, blogging is more effective if you can have fun with it. Oh man, I just turned having fun into a practical thing. Lest we (I) forget, fun is a good thing by itself! Enjoy!

Seven million people viewed the MomsRising.org Mother of the Year Award customizable video in honor of Mother’s Day. It’s a great web marketing sample for social causes or anyone.

By creating a funny and creative video that people can easily customize and send to all the moms they know, this mother’s advocacy group also squeezed in their cause messaging to millions of viewers. (More about the campaign)

Fantastic campaign. Have a look at the video and you’ll immediately see why people want to take a minute to send it along. Another perfect example of offering something free that people want and then letting them do your pollination.

Way to rise above the noise MomsRising!

Looking for someone to help you create a video campaign? Check out Vivid Edge Media Group in Western Mass.

Flooded by Social Media Options

At a seminar on Web 2.0 for small businesses last week, the first panelist, Chris Amato, started us off by giving a quick (and excellent) overview of the hottest online bells and whistles — from viral videos on YouTube to Twitter and iPhone apps.

Widgets, nings, and apps, oh my. The new media options are enough to make even a techie’s head spin.

But the last speaker on the panel, John Bidwell, calmly emphasized that it’s the message, not the medium that counts.

I couldn’t agree more. When it comes to online communications, I like to say:

It’s what you say, and how you say it.

Web Marketing Is a Social Science

Many people want to categorize web marketing under technology or Internet services, but truly, it is a social science.

A developer can build a great website or a mobile phone app, but it’s up to you or your marketing team to create the right message that will make the difference.

I commend Diane Dougherty (of the MSBDC) for gathering panelists for the Web 2.0 seminar that not only had web technology experts but also included an online journalist and a branding expert. It’s all in the blend.

[Click to view the embedded video.]

While leaders all over the world were talking about environmental issues and new green technologies, Majora had a vision beyond technology to revitalize her urban community in the South Bronx.

Majora hit the world stage when she spoke about her “Green the Ghetto” success at the TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) Conference in 2006 (a must-see video shown above). Her TED bio provides a good synopsis:

Majora Carter is dedicated to fighting ‘environmental racism’ in her hometown of New York’s South Bronx. She’s working not just to hold back the polluters who target neighborhoods like hers, but to bring back the green.

Given all she has accomplished, I worry there’s nothing I can say in this brief post that will do it justice. What I do know is that she inspires me and reminds me that anything is possible when you have a clear vision and commitment.

Guy Kawasaki praised her TED presentation in his blog:

She is every bit as good as Steve Jobs [a legendary presenter]. (Maybe better when you consider she doesn’t have a dozen minions supporting her.) Heck, she’s even a MacArthur Fellow (aka, “genius award”)! On the one hand, I would hate to speak right after she does; on the other, it would be a wonderful challenge.

Do me a favor, watch her presentation and soak in her passion and her story. And check out some of what’s she up to:

• Sustainable South Bronx
• The Point Community Development Corporation
• NY Times “The Green Power Broker”

Happy Ada Lovelace Day  — a day of celebrating women excelling in technology. I’ve stretched the “technology” definition a bit because Majora is taking things to new heights, making sure technology beneifts people and the environment in all neighborhoods.