The Wilder Zone

Must-Read Blogs - These Are Too Good To Miss

I've stumbled upon some really wonderful blogs in the last few weeks and I've been meaning to write a Must-Read Blog post for each. I'd intended to schedule them to go out one or two a week for the next few weeks, but they're all so good that I can't decide which to single out first and I don't want to wait to share them.

Blogs are all about creating community and the blogoshpere itself is a community, but these blogs are their own little mini-community. That's a big part of what has drawn me to them...not only the great talent of the bloggers themselves, but the way in which each of these blogs ties into the others through their comments and blogrolls.

They're listed in no particular order. I couldn't list them in order of which I like most because, like the individuals that created them, each is unique and fabulous in its own way.  I can't even list them in order of which I found first, or tell you which led me to which.

I can get a little crazy when discovering new blogs.  I happened across one, clicked the link of someone who had left a comment, clicked on one of that blogger's blogroll links, and around and around I went until I had half a dozen or more tabs open to all of these fabulous blogs.

So without further ado....

Rogue Ink - Tei Lindstrom - This is a brand new blog that is already developing a loyal following and it's no wonder. Tei writes in a witty, irreverent way that is uniquely hers, that makes me laugh aloud and that keeps me coming back each day to see what she'll say next. 

6 Weeks - Brett Legree - Kleenex alert! Brett has a way with words and storytelling that draws you in...to the stories and  to the deeper emotion behind them. A couple of his posts have left me at a loss for words and reaching for the kleenex, and others have left me smiling and laughing.

Life's Little Inspirations - Wendi Kelly - Wendi had me hooked with her post, Slow Cooking Frogs. You gotta love that title! <g> She too, has an amazing talent for weaving a really good story. She inspires while also keeping it real. Something I very much admire.

IttyBiz - Naomi Dunford - Naomi is what my dear friend Andy Wibbels would call "snarky" and he should know...he's the King of Snarky. And, if Andy is the King of Snarky, Naomi is the Queen. Love it! She delivers great advice for those of us running IttyBizzes and more often than not has me laughing my ass off at the same time. Not to mention reading the banter between those that comment on her posts is a bit like eavesdropping on an IM conversation. Kinda hard to resist.

Rock Your Day - Dave Navarro - When you need a tough-love kick in the ass (and I don't care who you are, we all need that once in awhile), Dave's your man. He delivers thought, and more importantly, emotion-provoking posts that will not just inspire, but motivate you to take action.

Men With Pens - James Chartrand & Harrison McLeod - This is one I happened across awhile ago, but that somehow must have gotten lost in the flurry. Thanks to one of the blogs above, I've re-discovered them and the plethora of wisdom they share. After seeing the incredibly awesome custom banner they designed for Tei I just might have to hire them to do one for The Wilder Zone (I know, I know....it's way overdue).

What is also way overdue is my lunch break. I'm starving. May I suggest you take a much-deserved break as well to check out all of these fabulous folks and their blogs? Just be forewarned...they're addictive.

Could Your Website Use a Little Help?

If your website isn't all it could be, if it doesn't express who you are and how you can help, if it isn't connecting you with your ideal clients in the way you know it could, if only... your brand were more clear, your copywriting more powerful, or the design more engaging, then you need the help and creative genius of Howell Burnell and Charlie Creative.

Howell Burnell is an all-around great guy and one of the most genuine and creative people I know. His passion for the help he provides to small biz owners is evident in his voice when he speaks of his work. Not only can he help your website to more clearly express all that it needs to,  but you'll have fun in the process, and his infectious enthusiasm will re-energize you as well. If you need help with website branding, copywriting, or design, there's no one I'd recommend more highly than Howell.

And for some great articles on how website branding and copywriting contribute to small biz success, check out his blog too.

Must-Read Blog: Sproutwire

You know those moments where you thunk yourself upside the head and wonder, "Why didn't I think of that?!" Well, I had one of those moments when I first saw Sproutwire. Sproutwire is the brilliant brain child of Shane Pearlman & Peter Chester. It's a blog that offers, as they put it, "a daily dose of the best small business articles that the internet has to offer." 

Oh, if only I'd thought of that myself. <g> It's currently in beta but I expect it's going to be very popular and successful. Take a few moments to check it out for yourself, and if you come across, or have written, a great post let Sproutwire know by sending them an email. If they use the article they'll give you a mention and link to your site or blog.

Must-Read Blog: The Pioneer Woman Cooks!

The Pioneer Woman Cooks is a must-read blog for anyone who cooks, or would like to learn to cook. Ree is a self-proclaimed desperate housewife who is an amazing cook with an extraordinary gift for teaching others, step-by-step, how they too can cook delicious meals.

This is no ordinary post-a-recipe blog. Ree, through her blog, comes as close as it's possible to come, to standing beside you and holding your hand as you recreate her culinary works of art. She provides detailed instructions and beautiful photos of each step. Her blog is, hands-down, the most visually appealing blog I've ever had the sheer pleasure of viewing. I guarantee it'll make your mouth water and will inspire even reluctant cooks to get into the kitchen to whip up a new culinary delight.

I've been meaning to recommend her blog to you for ages, and right now Ree is sharing some of her favorite Thanksgiving recipes, so if you're still trying to decide what to cook this Thanksgiving you'll be sure to find ideas and inspiration on her blog.

The Power of Attitude

Attitude is everything. Life has a way of providing us with whatever we're expecting it to provide, whether positive or negative. How we approach each day, our attitude, makes all the difference in how we experience life and in how well we respond to life's challenges.

Here's a wonderful movie called "The Power of Attitude" from Mac Anderson at simpletruths.com that I hope will remind and inspire you to keep a positive attitude.

Take a moment too, to check out some posts I think you'll find helpful on the Simple Truths blog.

Must-Read Blog: Zen Habits

I've been meaning for the longest time to tell you about one of my favorite blogs - Zen Habits - written by blogger Leo Babauta. Leo is a wonderful, personable writer with a gift for dispensing his wisdom and what's worked for him in a way that allows the reader to easily implement the information into their life in a practical way.

He blogs on a variety of topics, including, but not limited to: happiness, health, productivity, personal finance, family and simplicity. He's got a great down-to-earth style and his posts are not only informative but entertaining and fun to read. Take some time to check it out. You'll be glad you did. It might even help you to make today your best day ever.

Weekend Reading - 10.27.07

I've been meaning for ages to tell you about one of my favorite blogs. Nope, it's not about marketing or building your biz, it's not about productivity and how to get more done in less time, it's not about how to be happier or healthier or how to be a better parent. It's called Waiter Rant and it's just what it says it is...a waiter's rants about his work in the restaurant industry.

Now at this point you might be wondering what the draw is and why I'd be recommending Waiter Rant as a must-read blog. I'll tell you why - the writing is spectacular. The author is truly gifted. The posts are intelligent, direct, funny, and when I first stumbled upon this blog it was like reading a really great book - I couldn't put it down. So if you've had about enough of the usual fare of biz-related blogs for the week and are looking for something a bit different to simply enjoy, check it out for yourself.

Are You Married to Your Biz Partner?

Running a business with your spouse or significant other can be incredibly rewarding and, at the same time, presents unique challenges. I did it for a time and it was quite a wild ride. Talk about blurring the lines between personal and professional, work and home.....running a biz with your spouse takes it to a whole new level.

The joys of your partnership, both personal and professional are enhanced, but so are the challenges. The key is for both of you to be very devoted not only to one another but to the business, and to be have very strong lines of communication open so that when the challenges do present themselves, you're able to talk and work through them together.

For a very unique, insightful and amusing take on this subject you've simply got to pop over to The "A-HA!" Blog to read Lani Voivod's post.  At the very least it will put a smile on your face, and I'd be surprised if it doesn't have you laughing aloud and nodding your head in agreement as you read.

Coachamatic is Back

Andy Wibbels' Coachamatic blog is back - new and improved. Not too long ago Andy put out a call to coaches interested in blogging on Coachamatic and I couldn't be more honored to be among the amazing coaches/bloggers whom he chose to contribute to Coachamatic. It's a fabulous and varied group providing  (as Andy puts it) "Life coach training, business coaching advice, self-help junkies, productivity tips and other madness."

I just made my first Coachamatic post highlighting another great blogger, Sharon Sarmiento, whose e-Soup blog is also a must-read full of great insight and information. Take a few minutes to check them both out. You won't regret it.

A-Ha Yourself!

......with the "A-Ha!" Blog brought to you by Allen & Lani Voivod over at EpiphaniesInc.com.  I had the pleasure of 'meeting' Allen & Lani a few months ago by phone and email and immediately fell in love with them both. Their vibrant energy and their passion for their work and life in general is contagious and just makes every interaction with them a joy.

Allen & I chatted today (Lani couldn't be there) about their latest project. He emailed quite literally seconds before phoning with this question.....

If you had ten days to create an information product from concept to reality, how would you do it?

LOL! Well, okay then! That's quite the topic for a 20 min. laser coaching session. But that's soooo Allen & Lani....I don't know them well yet, but I can already tell they don't do anything half-way. Always up for a wild ride I rolled with it and we had a great talk. It ran a wee bit over the original 20 mins. but time flies when you're having fun.

Allen has promised to keep me posted on their progress with their new product (which promises to be fabulous!) and I'll let you know when it's available so you can check it out too. In the meantime, pop on over to their blog where they manage to inform, inspire and entertain all at once.