I realized this is the first time I’ve ever been out of work since entering the workforce in between my Sophomore and Junior year of high school. That summer I worked as a laborer for both a moving and landscape company, doing what any young sports jock would do… Carrying heavy stuff from one place to another.
Obviously this is a much different time. I have a family, bills, obligation to keep the cabinet full of snacks and the occasional candy bar. What hasn’t changed is how I grew up and what made me into the person I am now. Raised outside Modesto in a very poor area, I’ve never had any expectations of grandeur. Cutting our budget back has reminded me how much I love Kool-Aid and listening to regular FM radio.
Its easy to get lost in the moment, especially when things get hard. Just remember this will pass. Look back at what you were and what you are now. That didn’t happen overnight! You can do it, just keep taking little steps.
In this week’s newsletter:
– A list of useful resources for all things digital marketing.
– What to do if you lose access to company supplied tech.
– A set of hot links, including a hot take about marketing education.
– Structuring your day to be successful | Get Better Friday
Master list of resources
This is the 33rd. edition of this newsletter, which is actually quite a shock to me. For the last 7 months or so I’ve been sharing links and resources I’ve found valuable as I’ve buried myself in being a leader in Digital Marketing. Now that I’ve had a little more free time on my hands, I’ve put all the resources that have been the most impact for me all into a single spreadsheet.
When trying to find information, the hardest part is cutting through the noise. This isn’t an exhaustive list, I know there are tons more out there.
I’ll continue to add to this list as I find them. Please, send me your favorites! What are the resources, guides, white papers, case studies, and more you go back to again and again? It can be entry level or highly advanced. But, instead of hiding these from others, lets share them and create a on stop shop for the best. That way if you’re just getting started or are a seasoned vet and looking for info about a particular topic, you know other experts have said these resources are good.
Send them to me, I’ll add!
Digital Marketing Resource List
Shiny isn’t better
A scene I’m seeing again and again as layoffs grow, especially through marketing departments, is the sudden loss of hardware. Whether its a laptop, phone, or both, many people are finding themselves without a job and without the hardware they were using. This makes it much more difficult to find a job (or go freelance, start a business, etc.) if the first thing you need to do purchase high cost items. This is even more difficult when you don’t know what your financial situation will be next month or the month after.
The pressure to replace the quality of hardware you had previously is immense. Spending over $2,000 on a laptop and phone is absolutely ludicrous, though, and is one of the reasons I am constantly frustrated with recommendations to people getting started in this industry. Having the right tool for the job is critical, but attempting to force people to buy something just because of its aesthetics is insane.
I’m going to keep writing up resources, from budget Android devices to refurbishing old computers and being a content creator on Linux. The best tool you have is the one in front of you and this is the first guide about maximizing tools. I’ll continue to add to this as I find more resources, including what are good for unlocking and using ROMs.
Suddenly need a budget Android phone? Start here. | Obscured Narration
Hot links
- Facebook Live Video Updates: What Marketers Need to Know : Social Media Examiner
- 14 Experts Share How to Get Support for Content Marketing
- Link Building Techniques: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
- Marketers’ strategic responsibilities are eroding away to nothing
I disagree with nearly all of this opinion piece from Mark Ritson. It doesn’t mean I’m right, it doesn’t mean he’s wrong. It does mean its thought provoking and worthy of discussion. As someone who is self-taught and with no formal (in the traditional sense) training, that is the biggest variance in our opinions. The emphasis on “formal” education is what lowers diversity and creates monocultures. If echo chambers are an issue in social media, then whole departments that are trained and educated nearly identically is the root of those echo chambers.
As I mentioned, this doesn’t make me right, its just my opinion. Give it a read, would love to hear your thoughts.
What does your day look like? | Get Better Friday
Configuring Your Day to be Successful | Leadership & Coaching – YouTube
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Employed, self-employed, or unemployed all point to the balance we’re trying to achieve, the difference between urgent and important. The two aren’t equal and I’m sure you’ve all seen this quadrant multiple times in your career. I don’t want to talk about this matrix, but rather how to keep yourself ready to conquer both, should they arise.
Something that I’ve struggled with since being unemployed is making sure I’m working on what is important (finding a job, maintaining relationships, networking, being a creator) versus urgent (apply for unemployment, pack for a move, negotiate bills). None of these are optional, I need to do them all. For years I’ve been an avid task list keeper, to the point I think the task list manages me instead of the other way around.
What I’ve learned in this time is how important it is to structure your day to allow you to do the right work at the right time. This could mean to schedule creative time, journaling, email, etc. Some people do this to great success, literally blocking time off in their calendar to read and answer emails. That isn’t my style, but the point is valid.
How do you structure your day to put you in the best possible situation to do your best work?
This system is important for everything we do. I know I have 20 tasks to do every day, plus at least a dozen more that will crop up throughout the day. In preparing for my day, putting myself in the best case scenario, will allow me to correctly respond to those tasks. I can be more measured and react the best way, without kneejerking myself into a bad mood.
It doesn’t have to be complicated, in fact its hopefully the exact opposite. What do you need to have a good day? Get up at a certain time? Have breakfast by when? Go for a walk before opening email? Planning lunch with friends before doing anything else? Emailing 3 people? Listening to music for 20 min.?
What do you need to do in order to have the right mind and to do your best work?
I’d love to hear what that is. Email me, comment, get me on Twitter.