Technology is moving fast. Media is moving fast. Flipboard just came out and changed the game.

I’m already predicting the move from blogging to aggregation, so what’s next, and who’s going to give it to us?

In Seth Godin’s post, he talks about a few of these issues, but I want to go deeper. Is it more important to be first, or be the best?

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Podcast: Don’t be First, be the Best is a post from: Nathan Hangen

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One of the major problems our society has is the inability to take responsibility. I don’t say this as criticism because I’m just as guilty of it as the next person – it’s just a fact. When faced with responsibility, we tend to chicken out and run the other way. We try to take the burden of responsibility and hand it to someone else.

This is the reason most of society believes entrepreneurship is risky compared to working for the man. But here’s the thing: risk is different from responsibility. Is entrepreneurship really more risky, or does it just involve more responsibility? It’s the latter that frightens people, not the former.

We’ve been conditioned our entire lives to follow the same “secure” path: graduate college, find a job with a large company, retire 45 years later. That’s why when we’re faced with entrepreneurs doing their own thing, we freak out and label them as unnecessary risk takers.

“It’s too risky” is the lazy argument to make because it relies on false logic we’ve been forced to believe since we were children – that working for the man is the most secure way to achieve financial solvency.

So let’s debunk the myth that entrepreneurship is risky. What we’re actually afraid of is control and the responsibility that comes with it.

Just think about it: what could possibly be more secure than having full control over your business? “Risk” is something that exists when you don’t have control over a situation (i.e. working for the man). I’m not sure how the argument against entrepreneurship exists when faced with the fact that control and risk are inversely related.

We all want more control of our lives, yet most of us continue to show up for our 9-5 jobs, where control and decision-making are nothing more than facades.

Face it: when working for the man, we have no control over whether or not we receive raises or bonuses or get fired. We like to believe merit is enough to receive that promotion, but as was made evident by the recent economic meltdown, hardworking and deserving individuals lose their jobs everyday.

We sell our souls when we choose to work at a place where we don’t have a say in what happens. Our livelihoods can be destroyed without warning for something as vague as “cost cutting.”

Entrepreneurship solves these problems. Unless you fire yourself, you won’t ever lose your job. Logically, what is more secure than having complete control of your life? If you couldn’t figure it out, the answer sure as hell isn’t working for the man!

Emotional solvency

I’ve only mentioned the “security benefits” of entrepreneurship. I’ve yet to touch on its emotional benefits, which could be a whole article in and of itself. The problem with the outdated “secure” path (college -> job -> retirement) is that it only takes into consideration financial solvency.

Entrepreneurship solves the problem of what I call “emotional solvency,” or being happy and passionate about your work life. We’ve been conditioned to think working for the man in a mundane job is how life is supposed to be lived. Let’s face it: life is short, and as Glen Allsop so eloquently puts it, we all die at some point. Doesn’t it make sense to pursue your passion and live happily rather than force ourselves through another 9-5 day?

Yes, entrepreneurship is difficult and requires a tremendous amount of hard work, yet it’s completely rewarding. The thing is, when you chase your passion, working 12 hour days doesn’t feel like work. And better yet, if you work hard enough, you – and you alone – enjoy the fruits of your success; screw those tiny end-of-the-year bonuses!

So if you’ve always considered branching out on your own, I say go for it. People who you love and are close to will surely call you crazy and try to prevent you from taking “unnecessary risks,” but as the saying goes: It’s often easier to ask forgiveness than it is to ask permission.

Tyler Regehr is a 22-year-old entrepreneur living right outside Washington, D.C. He writes about alternative strategies for business and life at On Top The Cage and can be found on Twitter at @tytore.

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Entrepreneurship: Jobs are Riskier than Building an Empire is a post from: Nathan Hangen

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The short version is that I’ve made the decision to say goodbye to the Beyond Blogging Corporation and that from today forward, I’ll no longer be contributing to the Beyond Blogging Project or to future Beyond Blogging Operations.

I’d also like to emphasize the fact that neither Mike nor I hold hostile feelings towards anyone involved, including each other, and mention that this was a mutually amicable decision.

The longer version starts with me saying how difficult it is for me to even be writing this. Beyond Blogging was the start of major change in my life as a digital entrepreneur. The book launch was a big hit, and to be honest, it was a bit of a coming out party for me. Thanks to the support of great people, Mike and I were able to reach a level of success that we didn’t expect.

So in that regard, I owe a lot to Beyond Blogging and what it’s done both for my personal and my business journeys.

On the other hand, as I’ve continued to grow as an entrepreneur, I’ve found my behaviors and beliefs slowly evolving into what they are today, and what they will become tomorrow. Unfortunately, this also moved me on a path further from what Mike and I were doing as a business pair.

As I thought about our friendship, and ultimately, our business partnership, it occurred to me that both Mike and I were both evolving, but differently, and in opposite directions. Where I find fault with blogging, Mike feels comfortable, and where Mike finds fault with art, I find comfort of my own.

It’s because of this that I started to notice that Mike and I, as individuals, were capable, talented, and hard working, but as a pair, were diminishing each other’s skills. Apart, we were mighty, but together, we were much less.

Prior to today, we’d talked about this often, but each time consciously made the decision to keep trying to make it work. But in the end, as I felt the freedom of leaving the Army and starting my full-time entrepreneurial journey, I decided that we had to put ourselves out of misery, so I made the decision to leave.

To those of you that know us and were watching, this probably doesn’t come as a surprise, but to many, I imagine it will be quite a shock. Customers will wonder how this affects them. Others might wonder how it affects the old book and future books.

I’ll start with customers first.

We wouldn’t be in business without customers, and we realize that some might worry that they’ll receive less value, particularly those in the BBP.

However, one of the benefits to the decisions Mike and I have made, this will actually benefit the BBP members, as they’ll receive much more consistent education and won’t be impacted by mixed messaging from the two of us.

Mike and I have decided to trim extraneous pieces of the business that did not have an impact on our bottom line, all in an effort to maintain the value that our BBP members have been receiving. Mike runs a 6-figure travel blog, and his advice is top-notch, so I feel good leaving you in his hands.

As to the old book, we’ll still be selling it together. Nothing will change there.

For the new, you’ll hear something soon from me, but know that it’s still going to be written, and it will kick more ass than the last.

There might be another Beyond Blogging book down the line, if not several, and as a publishing company, Beyond Blogging will remain strong. I’ll be paying close attention to that piece of the business, and will support Mike in any way that I can.

Now, to finish my answer to the title of the post, I’ll say this:

I’ve never made it my intention to make promises I can’t keep, or to start something that I wouldn’t finish, but as you’ll see in future writing, this had to happen so that I could both follow my heart and create value in the process.

I’m in a time of change, and now, I have a chance to see that change through. I want to get back to the core of what I do, which will start with the re-tuning of this blog, an increase in Digital Empire specific product offerings, and to be honest, some time back in the lab, which is where I feel at home.

You’ve already seen a hint of this in recent posts, and you’ll see more in posts to come, as well as an upcoming project that I’m working on with Jordan Cooper, who, as I failed to mention, will continue to be a part of the Beyond Blogging Project.

You know how I feel about blogging, and how I feel about making money online. This decision gives me a chance to perfect my strategy and work on things that are much closer to my heart.

Whether you are a fan of me, Mike, or both of us, I hope you continue to follow where this goes, because we’re just getting started.

Why I Left Beyond Blogging is a post from: Nathan Hangen

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In today’s podcast, I dive into the Open Source / GPL vs Thesis debate. I’ll explain why Matt Mullenweg is anti-capitalist, why the GPL is a communist ideology, and why I’m moving away from WordPress if I can help it.

Let’s face it, premium plugin and theme developers drive WordPress. Without them, WP would be used by hobby bloggers alone. WordPress needs brands like Thesis and Headway to be protected so that they have a financial stake in the game. Without a financial stake in the game, there is no reward to produce, and the utopia that the Open Source and WP community envision is one of the greater good. Sounds a lot like Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged, does it not?

Just because someone is making money under the GPL license, does not mean that there is no risk in removing it. It also does not mean that it’s OK to poach Thesis users openly in the way that Matt has been.

Do you like doing business with a 26 year old that acts like he’s 12? Furthermore, how do you feel about this utopian world where the only concern is that we contribute to the greater good? When does Open Source lose its value and become something resembling Marxism? Do we need WP zealots spreading this message?

This could be the start of the demise of WordPress, which at this point, I would welcome.

Update: ** For those that have asked, here is an example of Matt’s poaching: http://twitter.com/photomatt/status/18548422506 **

Also, here’s why I believe the GPL is a mixed bag of shit:

It protects WP because it is free. WP has nothing to lose when people copy and improve or re-distribute. It has only to gain.

However, when it comes to premium, you’re essentially asking developers to create a welfare system, and the GPL community wishes to live on that system.

They’ll tell you that the issue is Chris’ minuscule use of WP code, but the issue is that they want Chris to give his code to the community so that it can be shared and built upon…Voltron style. The only issue is that in many cases, once Open Source projects reach a certain velocity, they resemble an abomination more than a kick-ass robot.

While the GPL might make sense for free, it does not work for premium, and that’s why Chris should continue holding out.

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Be Careful what You Wish for…

So, I know Nathan likes to talk a lot about “Empire” building, and use testosterone filled words like “Sword,” “Sacrifice,” and “Redemption”… so I figured it was about time to talk about a little empire building myself…

Girl style.

I thought he needed a bit of a woman’s touch around here, hitched up my socks, and volunteered to do the job.

Luckily Nathan agreed, (cripes, thank Jesus, he’s kinda scary!) so… here I am.

I think the whole concept of building a “digital empire” is a worthy goal.  As an entrepreneur, why would you want to create anything less than an empire that you hold the reins to?

Building the Machine

A virtual “machine” that not only makes you money, but impacts others in a positive way, brings enormous personal satisfaction, and can be molded into something you can pass down to your grandkids if you so choose?

And in the world we live in today, digital is just about the only way a single individual can build something so amazing and far-reaching, that can impact so many people, with nary more than a creative thought, and a few inexpensive tools that are readily available to the motivated.

Stop and think a moment about that.

Literally the minute Nathan hits publish on this post it is shot out into the mysterious cyberspace… available immediately to the eyes of anyone in the world who happens upon it.  And a motivated person can make it happen over and over again with varying degrees of impact.

That’s a lot of potential power one person can wield.

Now it’s the smart one that recognizes that potential power, and sets out to wield it with as much skill and effectiveness as humanly possible, to make the most impact they can.  And there’s never been a better time than now to do it.

More than Creative Thought and Handy Tools

Sure those are essential ingredients to building an empire; you simply can’t do it without them.  But what’s creative thought if no one ever hears about them?  What’s the point of tools and “building” something, if you’re building it for a solo audience of one?

Simply put, what the hell is an empire, without the people who drive it?

You get one guess.

(OK fine, I’ll answer.  I know pop quizzes are so hard.)

The answer is there is no empire without people.  Duh.

Which then begs the question…

How Do You Find (And Keep) the People?

The short answer, all tied up with a bow?

Promote. Network.  Make connections.  Bleck.

I’m not a fan of “short answers”  when there is so much more to be said on the topic so let’s delve into that a little more deeply.

Sure it’s easy to say just go out and promote, network with like-minded people, and the connections will occur.  But I don’t really feel that’s the case.

At least not real connections, with people you actually like and whose conversation you actually enjoy.  Feel me?

To make real connections, you actually have to be real yourself.

I think it’s been the key to my own fairly fast growth in my own business and digital empire and it’s why I have a handful of clients that come back to me again and again…  and I absolutely believe that it can be the key to your success as well.

I’ve made some amazing friends and partners in the online realm, and I don’t think it would have happened if I’d been trying to be something I wasn’t, or focused only on making a wad of cash.

(Although that is of course a big motivation! I LOVE wads of cash…  in fact, you’re welcome to send me some any time!)

Being the Real Y ou

I actually think it happened because I was brave enough to be real with the people I came into contact with.

And yes I know the words authentic and transparent have been bandied about ad nauseam, so I won’t use terms like that.

But I will use terms like be friendly, be engaging, be honest and down to earth.  Be someone people can reach out to if they feel so inclined… someone that people feel they can trust implicitly to steer them in the right direction.

Hell I’ll even use old school words like be ethical and exercise freakin’ morals.  (Trust me that can be a real rarity in the world at large, let alone online!)

The bottom line is that if you’re in it to win it, it doesn’t matter much what you build or how much effort you put into making it pretty or functional or whatever adjective suits your fancy…

There is no empire without people.

And there are no people if you don’t know how to be real enough to truly connect with them.

Ways to Engage, Connect, and Keep It Real

Everyone in this world is unique.  So what comes naturally to one person may not feel so natural to another…  and forcing yourself to do something that doesn’t “fit”  will not help you relate to people or engage and inspire them to think or do something differently.  So above all, be yourself in everything you do.  Just fight to be your best self and you’ll do great.

With that said, here are a few of the ways I personally engage and connect with others, that work for me.  You’re welcome to try them on for size and see how they work for you as well.

1. I practice a new religion called TMI (too much info) by some folks.

I share things about myself, my life, and my personality with my readers and followers.  While some might say this is dangerous… I say life is dangerous.  And a little danger is good for the soul.

I feel that if I’ve changed my life for the better and if sharing bits of myself and my story could help someone else change their life for the better as well… how can I do anything less?

Not to get all biblical, but a certain timeless old book says we should all be the salt and light of the earth.  (Or something to that effect!) So that’s me being as salty and earthy and as full of light as I can!

2. I’m honest and upfront about the things I do and say.

I don’t try to spin a lot of bull shit and I don’t feel the need to become “besties” with every person I meet that says something nice to me.  However I do have manners and politeness is part of my “Dirty South” charm… so I make it a point to thank people when I feel they deserve thanks and try to always respond to people when I feel a response is warranted.

3. I’m a terrible networker in the real world.

I’m so shy with new people it’s almost laughable, as you’d definitely never expect me to be that way based on how I write.  Luckily (or maybe not depending on who you ask!) I become much less shy as I get to know you better.  Turns out there are a lot of folks who can relate to this, and apparently that makes me likable!

4. I have a sense of humor.

And I’m not afraid to share it.  (Neener, neener!) Do a search of the hashtag #DorkBrigade on Twitter sometime and you’ll see for yourself.  And really, you’d be surprised at how many people there are who areafraid to share it!  They feel it makes them look silly or stupid or “unprofessional” to be a little goofy.  If being professional means being boring with a stick up my butt… thanks but no thanks.  How about you?

5. I have flaws and I’m not afraid to share those either.

I’m not perfect.  My business isn’t perfect.  My life isn’t perfect.  I’m pretty sure even this blog post isn’t perfect, but I don’t give a damn about perfection.

What I do give a damn about is succeeding despite my flaws and imperfections.  I also give a damn about growing as a person and as a business.  Giving my own personal best every chance I get.  Not to mention living life on my own terms, whether those terms happen to gel with yours or not.

6. And finally, I’m thankful.

I’m a firm believer that actively practicing the art of gratitude, striving to be a giver rather than a taker, and putting a positive spin on things even when they feel pretty bleak can wreak an amazing and exhilarating bit of havoc in your life.  Try it sometime… you might be pleasantly surprised.

And when you begin giving more than taking, and expressing your gratitude for the life you’ve got and spreading a little positive cheer… you’ll find that more wonderful connections begin to surface than you ever thought possible.  You’ll attract amazing people like a magnet and before you know it…  your empire will be overflowing with awesomeness.  (Alright, so it begins more as a trickle, but hey… gotta start somewhere!)

In a Nutshell

Testosterone and muscle isn’t the only way to go about building something amazing.  Ever watch the movie 300? (Yes I know it’s a friggin’ movie, but every movie has a kernel of truth people, stay with me here.) Sparta was backed by some pretty strong and amazing women.   Women who weren’t afraid to show a little vulnerability and who were just as willing to fight for their lives and their empire as their men were.

Girl style if you will.

So operate your business and grow your empire from a place of integrity… throw a little salt and light around… be willing to laugh a little and give perfection the middle finger… and keep on keepin’ it real… and you’ll find that your people begin to appear and multiply naturally, before you even realize it’s happening.  And that’s how you begin to grow your own digital empire that has actual staying power… and how you begin to build a life you can be proud of.

So how about you?  Are you honest with your people?  Do you share pieces of yourself with your readers?  Or are you too scared to show people who you really are?  Drop your thoughts in the comments below, I’d love to hear them.

Cori is a wildly hire-able freelance ‘ghost’ as well as the creative brains and dubious brawn behind her blog Big Girl Branding. If you’d like to harness her creative brains and dubious brawn and put it to work for you, just stalk her on Twitter and ask her. I’m “almost” sure she doesn’t bite. Well… like 95% sure.

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Recently I wrote about making nothing but art, and in that essay, I promised that I’d start doing just that. I also mentioned I’d start making music. Well, I wasn’t lying. Here’s a video that explains it.

Also, just for fun, you click here to listen to another tune I created called Waves.

If you want some real music…you know…the professional kind that my pal Oleg makes, and you want to use it for your videos and podcasts, I’ve got good news! We just opened a Royalty Free music store for people like you called Soundtrackster. Check it out!

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Empire Expansion and the Creation of Music is a post from: Nathan Hangen

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Welcome to another episode of Digital Empires Radio. In today’s podcast, I mix it up a bit and give you a free sample of my favorite episode of Blogger Beats. I’d love for you to listen to this, then go give our free 7 day trial a go. I really think you’ll like it.

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Podcast: Quest for Meaning is a post from: Nathan Hangen

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