Perfect is the enemy of done.
~Anonymous
Providing Value For Free
Can I provide a group of products and services that 1 person finds valuable enough to use for free?
Are my products and services useful enough that a person is willing to take the time to install (software), learn, and/or read them (articles)?
1st Barrier: Create Something Useful
I'm not interested in providing free useless junk. I want to provide useful / valuable free stuff.
2nd Barrier: Create Something Broadly Useful
If I can provide something that one person finds valuable, can I make it great enough that ten people find it valuable? 1,000? 1,000,000?
3rd Barrier: Perceived Value
If I am able to provide products and services that break through these first two barriers, would the people who use them feel motivated enough to donate $1 (or more)?
Can 1 Person Reach 1,000,000?
Is it possible for one person to provide products and services that 1,000,000 people (or more) find valuable enough to part with a $1 donation? Is that possible?
This experiment would attempt to answer quite a few questions:
1.) Are my products and services perceived as useful by a great number of people? If only 4 people download and use my products and services then I have not succeeded in the first step.
2.) Will people be motivated, not because they have to, but out of sheer gratitude to take the time and effort to donate $1 (or more)?
3.) Does gratitude exist? If 1,000,000 people download and use my products and services and I only have 11 donations, then maybe people only want things they never have to thank someone for. Maybe this would mean that everyone on the Web is selfish. :-)
4.) Does word-of-mouth marketing work?
I do not have the resources to market my products and services. Will the people who use them recommend them to others and keep the wheel spinning, until we reach over 1,000,000 users/readers?
Am I Talking About Perfect Products?
No. I'm talking about useful products. You may find bugs in my software, or errors in my grammar. But, you'll also find that my software does things for you that makes your life simpler. My articles make you think in new ways. They are able to do these things, simply because I've put a lot of work into them and I've completed them enough so you can get your hands on them.
Plus, I am continually updating them so they become better with time.
Original Intent of the Web
This is the original intent of the Web.
1.) Sharing - I give to you, you give back. However, we are all motivated to do so by inner principles, not from principles outside ourselves.
For example, I create the best software that I can, because I want to create great software (inner principle of hard work). You donate $1 (or more) because you find those products helpful and you want to complete the circle (inner principle of rewarding hard work).
I do not simply create software in order to get your money. You do not give me money because you are compelled by law (software license) to do so, but because you wish to do so.
2.) Iterative Development and Learning - Another intent of the Web is that you find articles, ideas, software that are still in a rough state and that is okay, because it fills a need at the time. Then, as time passes, the article, idea, or software gets better, because it is revised.
3.) Building Community
All of this works together to build community.
That is how we learn, how we grow and how we live. It is the best way.
Will You Check Out My Products And Start The Wheel Spinning?
You can see all of my products at my web site:
daylightcomputers.com
Read My Articles
You can read my articles at my blog sites:
100 Beginnings for Fiction Writers analysis of 100 novels and how we (as writers) learn from them.
The Writer's Invisible Mentor My writing project about writing and learning to write
Saber Slice: More on Creativity and Writing
Keep on learning, keep on writing.
~Newton Saber
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Get More Readers: Syndicate Yourself (Free software included)
Definition of RSS
Have you seen this symbol?
It indicates that there is an RSS feed for the page.
RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication.
Have you ever heard of XML? Well, RSS is basically a special format based upon XML, which can be used to obtain information about articles that have been published on web sites.
Offer Your Articles to Readers
RSS is a simple way to offer your articles to the world of readers. I will explain how easy it is in just a moment, but first allow me to explain the benefits of RSS.
What's the Benefit of an RSS Feed?
The most important benefit of viewing RSS feeds is that you can quickly check multiple sites to see if they have articles that you would like to read.
Follow Multiple Feeds With One View
If you follow certain blogs or news sites, you do not want to have to load numerous home pages just to check if there is a new article you are interested in.
We All Forget
I often forget to check certain sites and my blog readers often forget to check my sites for updated content.
Check All Sites At Once
Now you can check all those sites at once.
FreedReadR - Check RSS
Using my FREE program, FreedReadR, you can simply add all the RSS feeds you would like to check, then each day click the "Check Feeds" button and you'll see a list (including their publication dates) of the all the articles available on all of the sites.
Since the RSS contains a smaller amount of data (no pix, etc), it loads a lot faster.
Sort the Articles
After you load the articles you can use FreedReadR to sort the articles by title or date published.
Read Only the Articles That Interest You
It's much quicker to load them all and then simply check article titles for ones that you are interested in reading, than it is to load all those individual web pages. Plus, this way you won't forget to check those sites that you only rarely surf.
But, wait, there's more...
Marketing Your Blog or Articles
You are free to use my FreedReadR to load links to your own blogs, then distribute FreedReadR (along with the feeds.xml which contains your blog links) to your friends, family, everyone.
You're Syndicated, Baby!
After that, all your readers will have to do is run the program and click the "Check Feeds" button, and all your latest articles will appear in FreedReadR.
Do You Have RSS?
If you're blogging, then most likely you have RSS, even if you didn't know it. Here are some popular blog sites that provide RSS to your content and the links that you will need to use to feed your content.
Popular Blogging RSS Links
blogger.com
Use http://blogname.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss where blogname is the name of your blog.
For example mine looks like: http://SaberWriter.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss
For more information see the blogger site at: http://www.google.com/support/blogger/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=97933
wordpress.com
Use http://blogname.wordpress.com/feed/rss/ where blogname is the name of your blog.
For example mine looks like http://100begins.wordpress.com/feed/rss/.
For more information see the wordpress site at:
http://codex.wordpress.org/WordPress_Feeds
tumblr.com
Use http://blogname.tumblr.com/rss where blogname is the name of your tumblr blog.
One More Thing
Since FreedReadR allows your readers to add other RSS feeds, they have even more reason to use the program--and view your blog articles. Here's what I mean. Convince them to use the FreedReadR for your sites, because they can easily add other blogs and news feeds they are interested in.
Below is a list of just a few popular RSS feeds. You can simply click the Add New Feed button in FeedReadR and copy/paste these in to add them.
RSS Feeds of All Types
Yahoo! Top News
http://rss.news.yahoo.com/rss/topstories
MIT's Technology Review Mag. http://feeds.technologyreview.com/technology_review_Computing
New York Times - U.S. Home
http://feeds.nytimes.com/nyt/rss/HomePage
Popular Science Mag.
http://www.popsci.com/full-feed/technology
Wall Street Journal - Small Business
http://online.wsj.com/xml/rss/3_7672.xml
Yahoo! Sports
http://sports.yahoo.com/top/rss.xml
Want More?
The best way to find out if a specific source has RSS is to go to google.com
and type the following search: site: rss where is the web site your interested in.
Google will search only that site for the letters rss, and generally will provide you with a link that works.
Keepin' It Simple
My program attempts to keep it simple.
You can:
4.) You can copy the link for re-use, since many of them are so similar. Choose the one you want to copy in the drop list. Right-click the drop list and choose Copy Feed Link from the menu that appears.
5.) Read the specific article. Double-click the item in the list and your default Internet browser will open and load the link.
Get the software at: http://daylightcomputers.com/freedreadr.aspx
The Writer's Invisible Mentor My writing project about writing and learning to write
Saber Slice: More on Creativity and Writing
Have you seen this symbol?It indicates that there is an RSS feed for the page.
RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication.
Have you ever heard of XML? Well, RSS is basically a special format based upon XML, which can be used to obtain information about articles that have been published on web sites.
Offer Your Articles to Readers
RSS is a simple way to offer your articles to the world of readers. I will explain how easy it is in just a moment, but first allow me to explain the benefits of RSS.
What's the Benefit of an RSS Feed?
The most important benefit of viewing RSS feeds is that you can quickly check multiple sites to see if they have articles that you would like to read.
Follow Multiple Feeds With One View
If you follow certain blogs or news sites, you do not want to have to load numerous home pages just to check if there is a new article you are interested in.
We All Forget
I often forget to check certain sites and my blog readers often forget to check my sites for updated content.
Check All Sites At Once
Now you can check all those sites at once.
FreedReadR - Check RSS
Using my FREE program, FreedReadR, you can simply add all the RSS feeds you would like to check, then each day click the "Check Feeds" button and you'll see a list (including their publication dates) of the all the articles available on all of the sites.
Since the RSS contains a smaller amount of data (no pix, etc), it loads a lot faster.
Sort the Articles
After you load the articles you can use FreedReadR to sort the articles by title or date published.
Read Only the Articles That Interest You
It's much quicker to load them all and then simply check article titles for ones that you are interested in reading, than it is to load all those individual web pages. Plus, this way you won't forget to check those sites that you only rarely surf.
But, wait, there's more...
Marketing Your Blog or Articles
You are free to use my FreedReadR to load links to your own blogs, then distribute FreedReadR (along with the feeds.xml which contains your blog links) to your friends, family, everyone.
You're Syndicated, Baby!
After that, all your readers will have to do is run the program and click the "Check Feeds" button, and all your latest articles will appear in FreedReadR.
Do You Have RSS?
If you're blogging, then most likely you have RSS, even if you didn't know it. Here are some popular blog sites that provide RSS to your content and the links that you will need to use to feed your content.
Popular Blogging RSS Links
blogger.com
Use http://blogname.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss where blogname is the name of your blog.
For example mine looks like: http://SaberWriter.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss
For more information see the blogger site at: http://www.google.com/support/blogger/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=97933
wordpress.com
Use http://blogname.wordpress.com/feed/rss/ where blogname is the name of your blog.
For example mine looks like http://100begins.wordpress.com/feed/rss/.
For more information see the wordpress site at:
http://codex.wordpress.org/WordPress_Feeds
tumblr.com
Use http://blogname.tumblr.com/rss where blogname is the name of your tumblr blog.
One More Thing
Since FreedReadR allows your readers to add other RSS feeds, they have even more reason to use the program--and view your blog articles. Here's what I mean. Convince them to use the FreedReadR for your sites, because they can easily add other blogs and news feeds they are interested in.
Below is a list of just a few popular RSS feeds. You can simply click the Add New Feed button in FeedReadR and copy/paste these in to add them.
RSS Feeds of All Types
Yahoo! Top News
http://rss.news.yahoo.com/rss/topstories
MIT's Technology Review Mag. http://feeds.technologyreview.com/technology_review_Computing
New York Times - U.S. Home
http://feeds.nytimes.com/nyt/rss/HomePage
Popular Science Mag.
http://www.popsci.com/full-feed/technology
Wall Street Journal - Small Business
http://online.wsj.com/xml/rss/3_7672.xml
Yahoo! Sports
http://sports.yahoo.com/top/rss.xml
Want More?
The best way to find out if a specific source has RSS is to go to google.com
and type the following search: site:
Google will search only that site for the letters rss, and generally will provide you with a link that works.
Keepin' It Simple
My program attempts to keep it simple.
You can:
Click the Add New Feeds button. Add a unique name that will show up in the drop list that you will use to reference the feed. Add a URL that points to the feed. Check out the following image:
2.) delete feeds that don't work or you no longer follow. --Choose the one you want to delete in the drop list. Right-click the drop list and choose Delete Feed from the menu that appears.
3.) Click the Check Feeds button to load the latest feeds on either All of your available feeds or the specific one you've chosen in the drop list.4.) You can copy the link for re-use, since many of them are so similar. Choose the one you want to copy in the drop list. Right-click the drop list and choose Copy Feed Link from the menu that appears.
5.) Read the specific article. Double-click the item in the list and your default Internet browser will open and load the link.
Get the software at: http://daylightcomputers.com/freedreadr.aspx
Keep on learning, keep on writing.
~Newton Saber
100 Beginnings for Fiction Writers analysis of 100 novels and how we (as writers) learn from them.The Writer's Invisible Mentor My writing project about writing and learning to write
Saber Slice: More on Creativity and Writing
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
My Success Is Yours, Yours Is Mine. (Length: 623 words)
First Works
The first stories and essays I wrote twenty years ago still stand as terrible, uninspired examples. I knew they were bad, so I determined to learn to write great purely from books and practice. Is that possible? It is if you find the right people.
No One Can Make You Great
No one can _make_ you a great writer. However, there are those who reveal truths in such a way that it stokes the fires of greatness that already burn within you. Find those people.
Obviously, I'm still unknown, but it is possible that I am a great writer (you can decide for yourself by reading my blogs). If I am a great writer (or even moderately good) then you too have the hope of becoming a great writer.
Does all of this sound extremely arrogant? I understand how it would.
My Past Writing : Perfectly Terrible
My point is not that I'm a great writer, but rather that my writing was so perfectly terrible. If my writing has transformed, then the worst writers among us can expect the same of their work. If. Yes, if.
Two ifs, actually:
1. If you believe.
2. If you work.
Belief Changes Slower Than Knowledge
It has taken me 20 years to believe, but far less time to actually learn.
That's because there are only two writing problems:
1. Emotional
2. Technical
Technical : Six To Twelve Months
I suggest that you could learn to write at a professional level in six to twelve months. You could learn the technical. But, I'm assuming you focus and determine nothing will stop you from obtaining the result of great writing. Nothing. Not even the emotional.
Emotional Package
The emotional includes the intense connection you have to the words of your previously written pieces. You must allow the fires of greatness to burn away any chaff.
Even at the risk of great emotional pain.
How long will that take? Only a moment. Or, a lifetime. I cannot say. Only you can answer that question.
How We Answer A Question Reveals Our True Selves
What if someone guaranteed you writing success in six months, but required serious work?
For example:
1. No television.
2. Always either writing or reading (specific materials).
3. Produce 2000 words a day, every day, no matter what.
Would it be worth the sacrifice?
Consider how you really feel about the requirements? Should feelings have significance here? You desire a goal. If your emotions get in the way of the goal, shouldn't you be unmoved by your emotions? If you want the goal, shouldn't you simply submit to the discipline?
Not Fame and Fortune
Also, please note, I did not say fame and fortune. Fame and fortune are something entirely different than writing success.
Great Writing
Great writing is great writing no matter what. Great writing is the type of success I am discussing here.
Fame and Fortune Are Fickle
Remember, fame and fortune are fickle and smile upon the ignorant as often as they do the intelligent.
My Point?
If you want a shot at fame and fortune, go buy a lottery ticket.
If you want to transform into a great writer, do the things that great writers do.
Emotional Stretch
Determine to take action, even if those actions will stretch you emotionally.
Specific Actions
What specific actions should you take?
1. Find the people who stoke your fire
2. Believe
3. Work hard - do the things that great writers do
Who are the people?
How do I transform my beliefs?
What do great writers do?
Those are the questions I am currently working to answer (for myself and others) on my blogs.
Am I succeeding?
1. http://saberwriter.blogspot.com/ - The Writer's Invisible Mentor (learn to mentor yourself)
2. http://100begins.blogspot.com/ - Learn to write great while examining the beginnings of 100 published novels.
3. http://saberslice.blogspot.com/ Original articles on Creativity and Writing along with belief
4. http://saberseries.blogspot.com/ Original serialized stories
5. http://saberflashes.blogspot.com/ Original flash fiction, written for fun and example
What do you think? Are you in?
Keep on learning, keep on writing.
~Newton Saber
The first stories and essays I wrote twenty years ago still stand as terrible, uninspired examples. I knew they were bad, so I determined to learn to write great purely from books and practice. Is that possible? It is if you find the right people.
No One Can Make You Great
No one can _make_ you a great writer. However, there are those who reveal truths in such a way that it stokes the fires of greatness that already burn within you. Find those people.
Obviously, I'm still unknown, but it is possible that I am a great writer (you can decide for yourself by reading my blogs). If I am a great writer (or even moderately good) then you too have the hope of becoming a great writer.
Does all of this sound extremely arrogant? I understand how it would.
My Past Writing : Perfectly Terrible
My point is not that I'm a great writer, but rather that my writing was so perfectly terrible. If my writing has transformed, then the worst writers among us can expect the same of their work. If. Yes, if.
Two ifs, actually:
1. If you believe.
2. If you work.
Belief Changes Slower Than Knowledge
It has taken me 20 years to believe, but far less time to actually learn.
That's because there are only two writing problems:
1. Emotional
2. Technical
Technical : Six To Twelve Months
I suggest that you could learn to write at a professional level in six to twelve months. You could learn the technical. But, I'm assuming you focus and determine nothing will stop you from obtaining the result of great writing. Nothing. Not even the emotional.
Emotional Package
The emotional includes the intense connection you have to the words of your previously written pieces. You must allow the fires of greatness to burn away any chaff.
Even at the risk of great emotional pain.
How long will that take? Only a moment. Or, a lifetime. I cannot say. Only you can answer that question.
How We Answer A Question Reveals Our True Selves
What if someone guaranteed you writing success in six months, but required serious work?
For example:
1. No television.
2. Always either writing or reading (specific materials).
3. Produce 2000 words a day, every day, no matter what.
Would it be worth the sacrifice?
Consider how you really feel about the requirements? Should feelings have significance here? You desire a goal. If your emotions get in the way of the goal, shouldn't you be unmoved by your emotions? If you want the goal, shouldn't you simply submit to the discipline?
Not Fame and Fortune
Also, please note, I did not say fame and fortune. Fame and fortune are something entirely different than writing success.
Great Writing
Great writing is great writing no matter what. Great writing is the type of success I am discussing here.
Fame and Fortune Are Fickle
Remember, fame and fortune are fickle and smile upon the ignorant as often as they do the intelligent.
My Point?
If you want a shot at fame and fortune, go buy a lottery ticket.
If you want to transform into a great writer, do the things that great writers do.
Emotional Stretch
Determine to take action, even if those actions will stretch you emotionally.
Specific Actions
What specific actions should you take?
1. Find the people who stoke your fire
2. Believe
3. Work hard - do the things that great writers do
Who are the people?
How do I transform my beliefs?
What do great writers do?
Those are the questions I am currently working to answer (for myself and others) on my blogs.
Am I succeeding?
1. http://saberwriter.blogspot.com/ - The Writer's Invisible Mentor (learn to mentor yourself)
2. http://100begins.blogspot.com/ - Learn to write great while examining the beginnings of 100 published novels.
3. http://saberslice.blogspot.com/ Original articles on Creativity and Writing along with belief
4. http://saberseries.blogspot.com/ Original serialized stories
5. http://saberflashes.blogspot.com/ Original flash fiction, written for fun and example
What do you think? Are you in?
Keep on learning, keep on writing.
~Newton Saber
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