In this brief video I talk about the importance of retention in building your blog’s traffic. Simply put, you can’t afford to lose readers if you want to grow.

If you are losing readers, especially subscribers, it is usually for one of six reasons:

1. Your titles don’t pull them in.

2. You’re not using enough stories.

3. You’re posting too infrequently.

4. Your posts are too long.

5. Your posts are unfocused.

6. You’re not engaging in the conversation.

I not only address these problems, but share how to fix them.

At the end of the video, Stu McLaren provides an overview of the content we’ll be sharing next month with our Platform University members.

• In our Master Class, I interview Amy Porterfield, the world’s leading authority on Facebook marketing. We talk about how you can use Facebook to expand your reach and grow your platform.

• In our Backstage Pass, my team and I share with you the challenges and the payoffs of putting on a live event. We go behind the scenes at our first ever Platform Conference.

• In our Member Makeover, Megan Miller, Dean of Platform University, and I review the platform of one of our members. We share with him ten recommendations to take his platform to the next level.

In addition to this, I will be hosting our members-only Live Q&A Conference Call at the end of the month. This is an opportunity for our members to ask me any question they want about platform-building.

If you’re not a member, check us out. I created Platform University to help you build your platform bigger and faster than you could on your own. Don’t miss this opportunity to get the inspiration, training, and resources you need to succeed.

When I speak publicly, I often ask how many people believe in the power of written goals. Every hand shoots up. Yet when I ask how many of them have written goals for this year, very few hands go up.

This always surprises me, given the fact most people know intuitively (and research has proved) that those who write their goals down accomplish significantly more than those who do not write their goals.

Some of this, I suppose, is just inertia. But from years as a corporate executive and now as a mentor, coach, and occasional consultant, I know that most people have just never been taught how to write effective goals.

With that in mind, I wanted to offer a basic goal-setting primer. You can find plenty of advice online, but these are the five principles I follow in my own practice:

1. Keep them few in number. Productivity studies show that you really can’t focus on more than 5–7 items at any one time. And don’t try to cheat by including sections with several goals under each section. This is a recipe for losing focus and accomplishing very little. Instead, focus on a handful of goals that you can repeat almost from memory.

2. Make them “smart.” This is an acronym, as you probably know, and it is interpreted in various ways by different teachers. When I refer to smart goals, I mean this. Goals must meet five criteria. They must be:

   • Specific—your goals must identify exactly what you want to accomplish in as much specificity as you can muster.
     Bad: Write a book.
     Good: Write a book proposal for The Life Plan Manifesto.
   • Measurable—as the old adage says, “you can’t manage what you can’t measure.” If possible, try to quantify the result. You want to know absolutely, positively whether or not you hit the goal.
     Bad: “Earn more this year than last.”
     Good: “Earn $5,000 more this year than last.”
   • Actionable—every goal should start with an action verb (e.g., “quit,” “run,” “finish,” “eliminate,” etc.) rather than a to-be verb (e.g., “am,” “be,” “have,” etc.)
     Bad: Be more consistent in blogging.
     Good: Write two blog posts per week.

   • Realistic—you have to be careful here. A good goal should stretch you, but you have to add a dose of common sense. I go right up to the edge of my comfort zone and then step over it. (If I am not out of my comfort zone, I’m not thinking big enough.)

     Bad: Qualify for the PGA Tour.
     Good: Lower my golf handicap by four strokes.

   • Time-bound—every goal needs a date associated with it. When do you plan to deliver on that goal. It could be by year-end (December 31) or it could be more near-term (September 30). A goal without a date is just a dream. Make sure that every goal ends with a by when date.

     Bad: Lose 20 pounds.
     Good: Lose 20 pounds by December 31st.

3. Write them down. This is critical. There is a huge power in writing your goals down even if you never develop an action plan or do anything else (not recommended). Henriette Anne Klauser documents this in her fascinating book, Write It Down and Make It Happen. When you write something down, you are stating your intention and setting things in motion.

4. Review them frequently. While writing your goals down is a powerful exercise in itself, the real juice is in reviewing them on a regular basis. This is what turns them into reality. Every time I review my goals, I ask myself, What’s the next step I need to take to move toward this goal. You can review them daily, weekly, or monthly. (I review them weekly.) It’s up to you. The key is to do let them inspire and populate your daily task list.

5. Share them selectively. I used to advise people to “go public” with their goals—even blog about them. But in his 2010 TED talk, Derek Sivers makes the compelling case that telling someone your goals makes them less likely to happen. Now I counsel people not to share them with anyone who is not committed to helping you achieve them (e.g., your mentor, mastermind group, or business partner).

The practice of goal-setting is not just helpful; it is a prerequisite for happiness. Psychologists tell us that people who make consistent progress toward meaningful goals live happier more satisfied lives than those who don’t.

If you don’t have written goals, let me encourage you to make an appointment on your calendar to work on them. You can get a rough draft done in as little as an hour or two. Few things in life pay such rich dividends for such a modest investment.

Though we live in a very exciting time in history, it is filled with distractions. Regardless, you and I still have to get real work done. That requires focus.

But what if mental focus is not something you either have or don’t have? What if it’s something you could create, on-demand, whenever you need it?

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Podcast: Subscribe in iTunes | Play in browser | Download

Here are ten tactics I use to create more mental focus when I need it:

1. Block off time on your calendar.
2. Isolate yourself in a quiet place.
3. Turn the room temperature down.
4. Get comfortable.
5. Take email and social media software offline.
6. Put on music that helps facilitate concentration.
7. Have something on-hand to drink.
8. Avoid high glycemic carbohydrates.
9. Set mini-goals.
10. Set a timer and take predetermined breaks.

In a world of distraction and competing demands, mental focus is a scarce yet precious commodity. If you want more of it, you will have to be intentional about getting it.

Listener Questions

Alex Barker asked, “How do you regain mental focus after a long day at work and then with the family?”

Joseph Consford asked, “How do I keep from getting side-tracked from rabbit trails of my own making?”

Paul Hunt asked, “How do I keep my mental focus on the project at hand when I really would rather be working on something else?”

Sharad Verma asked, “How do you focus when you are forced to multi-task?”

Timothy Moser asked, “Do you have any tips for increasing focus when trying to read in the midst of distractions?”

Special Announcements

1. If you are considering launching your own platform—or just getting serious about it—you need to start with a self-hosted WordPress blog.

   This is not as complicated as it sounds. In fact, I have put together a step-by-step screencast on exactly how to do it. You don’t need any technical knowledge. I walk you through the entire process in exactly 20 minutes.

2. The Launch Conference for this fall is filling up fast. In case you don’t know, this is the conference for professional speakers or those who want to be. It’s all about the business of public speaking.

   Specifically, we teach you a powerful, four-part framework that enables you to:

   • Discover your assets;
   • Design your products;
   • Develop your market; and
   • Determine your value.

   This is the conference that launched me into my professional speaking career. We will be holding the conference on September 16–19 in beautiful Vail Colorado.

   This is one conference that will pay for itself almost immediately. I paid for mine in the first month after I attended.

3. My next podcast will be on the topic of “What I Learned About Leadership from a Fight with My Wife.” If you have a question on this subject, please leave me a voicemail message. This is a terrific way to cross-promote YOUR blog or website, because I will link to it, just like I did with the callers in this episode.

Episode Resources

In this episode I mentioned several resources, including:

• App: Focus Time
• Article: Wikipedia: Attention Deficit Disorder
• Book: Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier
• Conference: The Launch Conference
• Juice: Juice Nashville
• Membership: Platform University
• Music: Pandora
• Post: “How to Use Batching to Become More Productive” by Joshua Leatherman
• Screencast: How to Launch a Self-Hosted WordPress Blog in 20 Minutes or Less
• Software: Evernote
• Software: Nozbe

Show Transcript

You can download a complete, word-for-word transcript of this episode here, courtesy of Ginger Schell, a professional transcriptionist, who handles all my transcription needs.

Subscription Links

If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe:

iTunes

Zune

RSS

Your Feedback

If you have an idea for a podcast you would like to see or a question about an upcoming episode, e-mail me.

Also, if you enjoyed the show, please rate it on iTunes and write a brief review. That would help tremendously in getting the word out! Thanks.

I’d like to invite you to join me and my friend Jeff Goins for a free, LIVE platform-building teleseminar on Thursday, June 20th at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (7:00 p.m. Central, 6:00 p.m. Mountain, 5:00 p.m. Pacific).

During the call, I’ll be interviewing Jeff, who will share how he …

• Attracted an audience of over 100,000 monthly readers,
• Built one of the most popular writing blogs on the web, and
• Became a professional author and speaker in less than two years.

Jeff will also be available to answer live questions—a perfect opportunity for you to ask anything you want about writing, blogging, or publishing. But here’s the catch: You MUST register to participate.

What You’ll Learn

We will begin by hearing Jeff’s story of how he went from frustrated blogger to published author. We’ll explore the steps he took to “turn pro” as a writer, which allowed him to quit his job and pursue his passion full-time.

Specifically, we’ll cover five topics:

1. The secret weapon most A-list bloggers used to build their platforms
2. How to get a book deal without worrying about rejection
3. The five types of platforms and which one is right for you
4. Why you should self-publish NOW
5. The little-known techniques you can use to connect with anyone

And, of course, Jeff will answer your specific questions. The call will last forty-five minutes to an hour, including the Q&A portion.

How to Register

This call is FREE. You can access it LIVE by phone or a streaming web audio player. And yes, we’ll have a recording after the call, but you’ll need to register in order to get access to it.

Please note: we only have room for 3,000 people on this teleseminar. (That’s the limit imposed by our hosting company.) Therefore, you must register now to participate.

Register for the FREE Platform-Building Teleseminar

I am really excited about this free workshop. Publishing is one of my favorite topics and Jeff is a great example of what it takes to succeed as an author in the world of new media. We’re both hopeful that this free event gives you a jumpstart on building (or expanding) your platform, finding your tribe, and getting published.

If you still have questions, read the FAQs below.

FAQs

Q: What is a teleseminar?

A: Think of it as a giant conference call. You dial in (or listen via streaming web audio), along with others and listen while I share and answer questions.

Q: How much does this cost?

A: It’s free. If you choose to access the LIVE call via phone, you may incur standard long-distance charges if you choose a dial-in number that is not local to you (there are multiple dial-in number options). Other than that, no fee at all.

Q: What is the date and time?

A: The LIVE call will take place on Thursday, June 20th, at 8:00 pm Eastern Time (7:00 pm Central, 6:00 pm Mountain, 5:00 pm Pacific).

Q: How can I access the LIVE call?

A: You’ll have two options. Our call capacity is 3,000 total. Five hundred can access the call via phone, the rest via streaming web audio (listening via your computer). Access is on a first-come, first-served based on registration and which access option you chose. We will notify you prior to the call with the specific phone number and web address.

Q: I can’t make the LIVE call. Will there be a recording?

A: Yes, we will make the recording available after the LIVE call. You’ll have the option to listen to the replay online or download an MP3 file. But you must register in order to get it.

Q: How do I ask a question for you to answer during the call?

A: When you register there will be an option for you to submit a question. We’ll do our best to answer as many questions as possible during the LIVE call. However, we will likely not get to all of them. We’ll try to make sure I address common themes.

Q: Do I need any special equipment?

A: No, nothing special needed. You won’t need to download anything to access the call. If you use the dial-in access then you simply make a phone call. If you use the streaming web access then you simply open a web browser, click play, and listen. I will send the instructions to you via email.

Q: When do I get access information after I register?

A: We will send you access information via email a day or two before the call and a reminder email on the day of the call.

According to psychologists, most people have a greater fear of public speaking than of death. As someone who trains speakers professionally, I can attest this is true.

It certainly was for me. Even after I had been speaking publicly for years, I still struggled with fear. Even when I was well-prepared. This happened nearly every time I spoke.

The problem, as I eventually discovered, was I was focused on myself.

My thoughts were consumed with whether or not they would like my speech, laugh at my jokes, or think I was smart.

As a result, I sweated profusely. My hands got ice cold. I felt sick to my stomach. I would often be near panic before I stepped up on the stage.

Everything shifted when I started focusing on my audience.

I started asking myself, What are their needs? How do they feel? How can I best serve them?

Suddenly, my anxiety disappeared. Not all at once, but incrementally, as my focus shifted from me to them.

Now, I usually can’t wait to speak. Occasionally, I slip back into the old pattern, but at least now I know how to fix it.

The question I always ask myself right before I step to the podium is this:

I focus on three. These have the power to transform them—and me.

1. The Gift of Clarity. When people come to hear someone speak, regardless of the topic—they are often confused. For example:

   • People come hear Tony Robbins because they are confused about how to succeed in life.

   • People come hear Dave Ramsey because they are confused about how to get ahead financially.

   • People come hear me because they are confused about how to get noticed in a noisy world.

   My goal is to enlighten their minds. I must make the complex simple and provide a framework that dials everything into focus. So must you.

2. The Gift of Courage. When people come hear someone speak, they are often demoralized and ready to quit. Even if the speaker gives them the knowledge they need, fear may keep them from acting on it. (Never underestimate the power of fear!)

   My goal is to engage their hearts. I must convince them they have what it takes to succeed. So must you.

3. The Gift of Commitment. When people come to hear someone speak, they are often stuck and unable to move forward. Even if they have clarity and courage, they will be tempted to hesitate or procrastinate.

   My goal is to move their wills. I must identify what they need to do next and then call them to specific action. So must you.

It’s amazing how a shift in perspective can change everything. It certainly has for me.

Next time you have the opportunity to speak publicly and find yourself getting nervous, try refocusing on the needs of your audience. Give them the gifts they need to succeed. It will make a difference. For you and for them.

As a leader, what do you do when you have an employee or a colleague who disrespects you in front of your team? What do you do when this employee is a top performer and one of your supervisor’s favorites?

Confronting these people is never easy. However, it is essential if you are going to create a healthy organizational culture that drives the results you want.

Click to Listen

Podcast: Subscribe in iTunes | Play in browser | Download

• Action #1: Get clear in your own thinking.
• Action #2: Count the cost.
• Action #3: Secure your supervisor’s support.
• Action #4: Confront the disrespectful employee.
• Action #5: Give him some time to think about it.

This is the tough stuff of leadership that no one wants to discuss. But it is the necessary stuff. You can’t develop people and take them to the next level unless you are willing to speak into their lives—for their benefit and for your team.

Listener Questions

1. Christy Tennant Krispin asked, “How do you work in a situation where something might be disrespectful in one culture but not in another?”
2. Joe Consford asked, “How do you deal with a co-worker who is being disrespectful, but the team leader is unaware of it?”
3. Kwin Peterson asked, “Why do these kinds of conversations intimidate me so much?”
4. Michael Moak asked, “How do you deal with disrespectful team members when they are related to the boss or they are older than you?”
5. Tom Skilling asked, “How do you confront disrespectful team members when they are volunteers?”

Special Announcements

1. If you are considering launching your own platform, you need to start with a self-hosted WordPress blog. This is not as complicated as it sounds.

   In fact, I have put together an absolutely free step-by-step screencast on exactly how to do it. You don’t need any technical knowledge. I walk you through the entire process in exactly 20 minutes.

2. The Launch Conference for this fall is continuing to fill up. If you don’t know, this is THE conference for professional speakers or those who want to be.

   It’s all about the business of public speaking. This is the conference that launched me into my professional speaking career. We will be holding the conference on September 16–19 in beautiful Vail Colorado. This is one conference that will pay for itself almost immediately. Check it out.

3. My next podcast will be on the topic of “How to Create More Mental Focus.” I will share 10 tactics I use to be more productive and more effective. If you have a question on this subject, please leave me a voicemail message. This is a terrific way to cross-promote YOUR blog or website, because I will link to it, just like I did with the callers in this episode.

Episode Resources

In this episode I mentioned several resources, including:

• Conference: Launch Conference
• Membership Site: Platform University
• Post: How to Launch a Self-Hosted WordPress Blog in 20 Minutes or Less

Show Transcript

You can download a complete, word-for-word transcript of this episode here, courtesy of Ginger Schell, a professional transcriptionist, who handles all my transcription needs.

Subscription Links

If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe:

iTunes

Zune

RSS

Your Feedback

If you have an idea for a podcast you would like to see or a question about an upcoming episode, e-mail me.

Also, if you enjoyed the show, please rate it on iTunes and write a brief review. That would help tremendously in getting the word out! Thanks.