I used to listen to a lot of music in my teens and early 20s. I was a guitar rock fan and that’s what I would usually listen to. As time and circumstances changed I cut back on my music as I focused on career, education, and family. I’ve been able to start squeaking it back in my days thanks to streaming audio, my new iPod, and YouTube.

YouTube is a funny thing Continue reading ‘YouTube is my Wayback Machine’ »

Writing the following post might not be great timing since yesterday’s post was clearly meant to be humorous, but…

I have this long range goal for my blogging.

Some time ago I wrote that my goal was to hit 250 K subscribers.

I was chickening out a little bit (even though 250 K subscribers is pretty freaking massive).

My actual goal is to hit 1 million subscribers.

It’s a Big Hairy Audacious Goal.  It’s insane.  It seems impossible.  I’m out of my freaking mind.

Probably.

But, if there’s even a chance that it’s possible, why not go for it?  Why not make the effort?  Why not make it crystal clear?

This will undoubtedly mean that I’m going to have to broaden out my subject matter a bit (or a lot…  I dunno).  I can deal with that – I hope you can.

I don’t want to alienate anyone who’s already here because any of you who are currently subscribed to this blog are the core.  You’re the group of individuals who were generous and patient enough to take a chance on a new blogger who entered the field at the time when blogging appeared to be hitting a saturation point.  I am more grateful for that kindness than you will probably ever realize.  I don’t know who all of you are, but you’re cool in my books.

Why one million?  Because it fits with my concept of this being the electronic equivalent of a syndicated column.  Because it could give me the opportunity to devote a large part of my energies to doing this work.  But mainly because I think that I have things to say and write that will appeal to a broader audience.

Is this a selfish goal?  Sure.  Nonetheless, it’s something I see there above my head, a level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs that gives me something to strive for.

This is a LONG term project.  I could see this taking ten years or more, assuming it’s achievable.  A lot can happen between now and then.  The chances are small that I could succeed at making this happen.

But if I achieve even a fraction of this goal, then it’s worth it.  Any fraction.

If this is too egotistical, too heady, too… whatever for you and you want to bail, I understand.  This kind of journey and shift in focus might not be what you signed up for.  I have no real clue of what this is going to mean.  But it’s a vision and an honest vision.  Even if it runs counter to a lot of conventional blogging wisdom.

Is this going to mean anything different in the short term?  Probably not, at least not much, other than I’ll start broadening out on my subject matter.

If you’re willing to stay onboard, then THANK YOU.  If you think anyone else might enjoy becoming part of this journey, please invite them along.

OK, I’ve babbled for a bit.  Am I completely nuts here?  Why not share your thoughts in the comments section below?  Have a great weekend.

This just in: while many prominent bloggers are now safely stuffed into their Las Vegas accommodations for Blog World Expo 2008, this reporter has just learned that their assistant editors and substitute bloggers have staged an unparalleled coup of the blogosphere!

Minions everywhere have executed fiendishly clever plans to corrupt their masters blogs! The details are almost too incredible to believe, but they are starting to be revealed now:

Problogger by Darren Rowse has been changed to ProLogger! Branding itself as “anti-green”, the blog is now a passionate advocate of the pulp and paper industry! “Make money outdoors” is the new motto!

Chris Brogan’s blog is now Chris, Broken, a whiny emo-ish personal blog where the assistant editor (who’s real name is John), whines about losing his 14th girlfriend this year while envying the fun and frenetic lifestyle of his boss!

John Chow has become a food blog, talking about all of these great restaurants that the editor visits! Oh, wait…

Social Media Explorer has become Social Media Exploiter! The assistant editor has some bones to pick and they’re exposing the seedy side of social media, one deal at a time! (The assistant editor’s last name is Chapel, but we’re not sure if it’s a man or a woman…)

Awake at the Wheel has now become Asleep at the Wheel. It’s now full of biographies of politicians and corporate executives.

LouisGray.com was renamed LewisGrey.com. The assistant editor thought the new name would be easier to remember, plus he figured it would irk the boss.

GapingVoid was renamed Smoking Hole. All of the art has been replaced by business card sized panels with a weird grayish black color, perhaps from an explosion of some kind. Scott Adams was seen trying to sneak away.

Scobleizer was replaced by Sigmoidoscopeleizer. Don’t ask.

Queen of Spain blog was replaced by King of Spain. Kind of predictable, really. I think McCain/Palin is to blame.

Wine Library TV was the subject of the most astonishing coup. The editor of Scripting News flooded the Wine Library TV offices with knockout gas and has taken over. Winer TV is now devoted to electing the Democrats at all costs in November ($20 gift certificates at Gary V’s store if you vote for Obama/Biden!)

More updates later in the day if we can bear to describe them!

If ye be wanting more Broadcasting Brain goodness, why not subscribe? Arrrrh.

Image by Idol

I’m writing for several different blogs, including my own. Broadcasting Brain is the only place where I follow a regular writing schedule. The other places are blogs where I am a contributor or where I can write on a pitch by pitch basis, subject to editorial approval.

Some people might say that you should put your eggs in one basket and concentrate your publishing efforts in one location. That can work for some people, but I think that only works when you have an established general topics blog or when you are an established blogger/voice. Otherwise, people expect you to stay on topic.

I’m finding that I want to branch out and write more on different topics. I also want to reach more people. I’m trying to write certain topics where I think the largest, most receptive audience is.

I think of myself of a syndicated on-line columnist. I generally don’t break news. I provide opinion, commentary, and analysis. Occasionally I’ll write “how to” articles.

My thought is that at this point it’s better to publish stuff where the audience is and hopefully entice some people to come back here.

What do you think?

/ponder

Originally uploaded by striatic

Out inspecting in the Fields of Awe… back soon.

Merlin Mann is the guy behind 43Folders.com, among other creative things like podcasting and such.

He’s created a cool slideshow that you might want to check out.

Here’s the essence of his message:

Find your obsession

Every day, explain it to

one person you respect

Edit everything, skip shortcuts

And try not to be a dick

Get better

Yup.  That’s it.  Works for me.