Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur

This episode starts right away with a continuation of the niche brands discussion.  We then move to DP's thoughts on social media and using those tools.  He even moves into examples of live-streaming and ways to use these tools no matter your strengths. Niche Brands - Livestream Anything DP dropped a couple of examples that are highly niche right out of the gate. First, he talks about Trezy, who uses twitch to lifestream software coding.  Then he shifts right into mentioning he live-streamed writing his book.  How can you get more niche than that?  However, these have followers and are ways to build a community.  These tools can build relationships in ways marketing never used to be able to touch.  Even a podcast interview can build a relationship among the participants. Influencers All of that brings us into a discussion of influencers and personal brands.  The people that like to label themselves an "influencer" are not highly praised by DP.  However, he does point out that all of us are influencers.  The niche of our audience may be small.  Nevertheless, we bring influence to those people, which could potentially be highly valuable to some sellers.  We should never underestimate what we can do for others. A Little Background DP’s worked on some of the biggest brands in the business, including Coca-Cola®, The Athlete’s Foot®, and ClosetMaid®, during tenures at DDB Needham (Chicago), McCann Erickson (Atlanta), and creative shops in Denver, Sarasota, and Madison, WI. He is the author of "NONFICTION BRAND—Discover, craft and communicate the ‘completely true / completely you’ brand you already are," and co-author of "ROTOMA—The ROI of Social Media 'Top of Mind'" and the creator-host of the popular podcasts, The ROTOMA Podcast and NONFICTION BRAND.  He is also a keynote speaker and clinician in branding, social media, creativity, and culture for groups throughout the United States. Contacting DP You can learn from DP directly or as a student of his experience.  First, DP has a podcast called Non-Fictions Brands.  I highly recommend you give it a listen. However, you might desire other ways to follow him or send a message.  You can do that through his personal website.  Check out the links below. https://dpknudten.com The NonFiction Brand Podcast The NonFiction Brand Book

We dig into the ways to build a non-fiction brand in episode two.  The focus is on brand first principles and sticking to truth in building upon it.  DP starts with his "a-ha" moment that took years to develop.  Then he weaves a series of points to help us build a brand, personal or otherwise. Write Some Stuff The non-fiction idea started with a simple statement, "write some stuff."  He was working on advertising content and had only those instructions.  That caused him to halt and note that he is not a fiction writer.  His advertising process required facts and truth so he could present them.  It was not sufficient to simply make up a story for a product or brand. Brand First Principles DP highlights his personal brand first principles and gives us a foundation for ours.  We need to stick to our first principles and build on those.  That is the case whether you are building a brand or selling a product (including your resume).  These are the traits that make you special or unique.  They are your strengths and should be the basis of your value to customers.  However, you might want to review what you want to be as well as your strengths.  The goal might be to pick up diamonds instead of potatoes. A Little Background DP’s worked on some of the biggest brands in the business, including Coca-Cola®, The Athlete’s Foot®, and ClosetMaid®, during tenures at DDB Needham (Chicago), McCann Erickson (Atlanta), and creative shops in Denver, Sarasota, and Madison, WI. He is the author of "NONFICTION BRAND—Discover, craft and communicate the ‘completely true / completely you’ brand you already are," and co-author of "ROTOMA—The ROI of Social Media 'Top of Mind'" and the creator-host of the popular podcasts, The ROTOMA Podcast and NONFICTION BRAND.  He is also a keynote speaker and clinician in branding, social media, creativity, and culture for groups throughout the United States. Contacting DP You can learn from DP directly or as a student of his experience.  First, DP has a podcast called Non-Fictions Brands.  I highly recommend you give it a listen. However, you might desire other ways to follow him or send a message.  You can do that through his personal website.  Check out the links below. https://dpknudten.com The NonFiction Brand Podcast The NonFiction Brand Book

We continue our interviews with the first part of our discussion with the author of nonfiction brands - DP Knudten.  His book sparked my interest, and now we get to sit down and talk to him.  We cover a lot about brands, both personal and corporate.  Thus, you will have a better grasp of these concepts after listening to him. NonFiction Brands - Sell To The Right Audience A common misconception of advertisers is that they sell items to people that do not need them.  Contrary to that, DP focuses on nonfiction brands as a path to get the audience that wants your product.  The key point is that we will build better relationships with customers when we have what they need.  That also makes the sale much easier.  They need our product.  Therefore, we need to point out how it meets their needs.  Advertising becomes almost responsive instead of proactive and in your face. Brands And Emotions There is always an emotional appeal in the best marketing.  It is one thing to sell features, but another to sell how they make the buyer feel.  Think of the opposite of buyer's remorse.  A brand predicts a pleasant experience and post-sale feeling for the buyer.  Likewise, a personal connection in the sales process will help provide a warmer experience than a cold corporate approach. A Little Background DP’s worked on some of the biggest brands in the business, including Coca-Cola®, The Athlete’s Foot®, and ClosetMaid®, during tenures at DDB Needham (Chicago), McCann Erickson (Atlanta), and creative shops in Denver, Sarasota, and Madison, WI. He is the author of "NONFICTION BRAND—Discover, craft and communicate the ‘completely true / completely you’ brand you already are," and co-author of "ROTOMA—The ROI of Social Media 'Top of Mind'" and the creator-host of the popular podcasts, The ROTOMA Podcast and NONFICTION BRAND.  He is also a keynote speaker and clinician in branding, social media, creativity, and culture for groups throughout the United States. Contacting DP You can learn from DP directly or as a student of his experience.  First, DP has a podcast called Non-Fictions Brands.  I highly recommend you give it a listen. However, you might desire other ways to follow him or send a message.  You can do that through his personal website.  Check out the links below. https://dpknudten.com The NonFiction Brand Podcast The NonFiction Brand Book

We wrap up the interview with Dale L. Roberts sharing his professional publishing secret.  He tells us to get started and be consistent.  However, he shows us that a love of our work is always key to success.  We need the drive to be successful, and the more we love our work, the more that comes naturally to us. Professional Publishing Secret - Burn The Boats Hunger is an excellent motivator for almost everyone. Unfortunately, that does not always lead to us doing the best things we should.  However, we need the motivation to keep us putting in those hours to work through the process.  There is a lot of work required for success in any form.  Thus, we need to embrace our goals.  We may decide there is no plan "B," but there are other ways to set ourselves up for success as well.  Find out what is your best motivating factor. No Overnight Success I return to this point.  Instant success is a fantasy.  At some point, everyone has to put in the work.  Otherwise, success will always elude them.  We see this and accept it in our technology careers.  Likewise, we need to be aware that it is the case for any career.  That being said, when we love what we do, time will fly by.  Years of effort and work will feel like a blink of an eye.  That may not impress others.  Nevertheless, you will reap the rewards. A Little Background Dale L. Roberts is a self-publishing advocate, award-winning author, and video content creator. Dale’s inherent passion for life fuels his self-publishing advocacy both in print and online. After publishing over 40 titles and becoming an international bestselling author on Amazon.  Then, Dale started his YouTube channel, Self-Publishing, with Dale. Feedspot voted it among the Top 50 YouTube channels about self-publishing. Thus, Dale cemented his position as the indie-author community's go-to authority. Contacting Dale There are many ways to contact Dale.  However, these are the best ways to reach out or learn more about the various ways he can help. Website - http://selfpublishingwithdale.com YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/selfpublishingwithdale Twitter – https://twitter.com/selfpubwithdale Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/selfpubwithdale Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/selfpubwithdale/ Publishing Links We mentioned a few sites for self-publishing.  Here are those links. https://authors.apple.com/publish-your-book/ https://play.google.com/books/publish/u/0/ https://press.barnesandnoble.com/ https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/ https://www.kobo.com/us/en/p/writinglife Draft2Digital

An interview of a  self-publishing expert is not complete without a discussion of "publish wide."  That refers to the many platforms available to publish your book.  It includes traditional print books, audiobooks, and e-books.  Therefore, the conversation with Dale L. Roberts continues to look at how we can grow to reach people.  We learn it does not matter how they prefer to consume their content. Publish Wide = Many Platforms Dale lays out several platforms, including the elephant in the room (Amazon KDP). In comparison, each of these has its strengths and weaknesses.  It is worthwhile to pursue them all.  The key is to start with one and get comfortable with it.  Do not try to be everything to everyone in your audience out of the gate.  Your bonus recommendation is to take a close look at Kobo.  Dale rates it highest for UI and experience. The World Has Changed Self-publishing has always been around.  However, modern tools and platforms make it easier than ever to do so.  Likewise, self-publishing is truly a viable option.  It is often your best approach for an e-book.  Do not underestimate the various ways to deliver your content.  We can now reach an audience through e-books, audio, traditional, and so much more.  You put a lot of time and effort into that book.  Make sure you give it the broadest possible reach to wherever your audience members reside. A Little Background Dale L. Roberts is a self-publishing advocate, award-winning author, and video content creator. Dale’s inherent passion for life fuels his self-publishing advocacy both in print and online. After publishing over 40 titles and becoming an international bestselling author on Amazon.  Then, Dale started his YouTube channel, Self-Publishing, with Dale. Feedspot voted it among the Top 50 YouTube channels about self-publishing. Thus, Dale cemented his position as the indie-author community's go-to authority. Contacting Dale There are many ways to contact Dale.  However, these are the best ways to reach out or learn more about the various ways he can help. Website - http://selfpublishingwithdale.com YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/selfpublishingwithdale Twitter – https://twitter.com/selfpubwithdale Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/selfpubwithdale Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/selfpubwithdale/ Publishing Links We mentioned a few sites for self-publishing.  Here are those links. https://authors.apple.com/publish-your-book/ https://play.google.com/books/publish/u/0/ https://press.barnesandnoble.com/ https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/ https://www.kobo.com/us/en/p/writinglife Draft2Digital

We continue our discussion with Dale L. Roberts with a discussion around how to define your audience.  That is an important step in any product.  Books and written content are no different.  We continue the discussion with getting that book written and your first steps in self-publishing. Define Your Audience There are some guides that refer to your ideal audience as your avatar.  This vehicle should be a well-defined image of who you are speaking to.  That is a key factor in success whether you are selling or communicating.  Therefore, the avatar must be defined early and preferably before the writing process begins. Dale provides a perfect example.  He wrote exercise books and it seems only logical that an exercise routine differs by age, goals, and fitness.  The routine for Betty White is not the same one for my goals.  We have people that benefit most from our content.  Those are who we want to speak to.  Therefore, define your audience by who "needs" to read your book. Perfect Is Not An Option A critical step in self-publishing is writing the thing to be published.  That may seem an obvious statement.  Yet, Dale mentions multiple times where people ask about publishing before they have written even a word.  Start with writing.  Also, do not worry about a perfect first draft.  Get the content down and then focus on the clean-up.  Once you have that rough draft, it can be a basis for crafting your work of art. Note the discussion about editors.  An editor is not simply a grammar-checker.  This person helps the writer craft a story and present content in the best way.  Think about selling a house.  Your house may be perfect for a buyer.  However, staging the house will help drive that point across and often increase the offer you receive. A Little Background Dale L. Roberts is a self-publishing advocate, award-winning author, and video content creator. Dale’s inherent passion for life fuels his self-publishing advocacy both in print and online. After publishing over 40 titles and becoming an international bestselling author on Amazon.  Then, Dale started his YouTube channel, Self-Publishing, with Dale. Feedspot voted it among the Top 50 YouTube channels about self-publishing. Thus, Dale cemented his position as the indie-author community's go-to authority. Contacting Dale There are many ways to contact Dale.  However, these are the best ways to reach out or learn more about the various ways he can help. Website - http://selfpublishingwithdale.com YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/selfpublishingwithdale Twitter – https://twitter.com/selfpubwithdale Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/selfpubwithdale Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/selfpubwithdale/ Publishing Links We mentioned a few sites for self-publishing.  Here are those links. https://authors.apple.com/publish-your-book/ https://play.google.com/books/publish/u/0/ https://press.barnesandnoble.com/ https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/ https://www.kobo.com/us/en/p/writinglife

.This episode starts a new multi-part set of interviews with Dale L. Roberts.  He is a guru of self-publishing with dozens of books to his name.  The focus is how to get started, platforms you can use, and how to find success in this far-ranging discussion.  Our first episode provides background on Dale and getting started. A Self-Publishing Firehose Start with a focus.  There is a lot to learn about self-publishing.   Many pieces go into being successful.  Dale refers to it as being a firehose of activity.  There are two ways a firehose works.  One is uncontrolled and sprays water everywhere.  The other is focused and puts out fires. Next, we talk about how to take reasoned steps.  That lays out a process to keep your efforts effective. Stick With It We all make mistakes.  Those mistakes come far more often when we are new or learning.  Writing and publishing a book is no different.  Your initial goal should be to write the book.  Of course, that is a challenge in and of itself.  Once that is done, then move on to the publishing process.  Note that the critical part of success in all of these is consistency.  Therefore, stick to your plan.  It can be easy to grow discouraged and quit.  However, staying the course and regular progress will get you to the finish line. A Little Background Dale L. Roberts is a self-publishing advocate, award-winning author, and video content creator. Dale’s inherent passion for life fuels his self-publishing advocacy both in print and online. After publishing over 40 titles and becoming an international bestselling author on Amazon.  Then, Dale started his YouTube channel, Self-Publishing, with Dale. Feedspot voted it among the Top 50 YouTube channels about self-publishing. Thus, Dale cemented his position as the indie-author community's go-to authority. Contacting Dale There are many ways to contact Dale.  However, these are the best ways to reach out or learn more about the various ways he can help. Website - http://selfpublishingwithdale.com YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/selfpublishingwithdale Twitter – https://twitter.com/selfpubwithdale Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/selfpubwithdale Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/selfpubwithdale/

This bonus episode for our Tim Stratton interview digs deeper into finding a mentor. First, we look at what makes a good mentor relationship.  This is a situation where all parties need to contribute to the goals and receive benefits.  Thus, the focus is on the relationship itself and what to look for when you desire a mentor. Finding A Mentor Organically There is an industry out there of people that advertise being a mentor.  They even have processes and cookie-cutter approaches in some cases.  This may help, but I do not see it as a true mentorship.  Finding a mentor is not like finding a plumber.  You do want someone you can trust.  However, many other factors go into being a true mentor. Similar Interests Or Goals The primary objective in finding a match should be similar goals or interests.  This is someone you want to emulate.  Therefore, they should have a path you can relate to and a destination you also want to reach.  Beware of a mentor that has goals or achievements that are only tangential to your path.  They can still be useful, but the closer they align with your goals, the better. For example, a player that wants to be a basketball star can benefit in some ways from a hockey star, but not as much as from a basketball star.  Know the areas where your mentor is similar and different. Listen and Then Act The goal of most mentors is to provide useful knowledge.  They want you to act on what you are taught and become better in those skills.  That is how they know it is useful.  If you never take action, then the utility of the knowledge will never be known.  The goal is not to fill your head with trivia.  Instead, they want to provide you with stepping stones for your career climb.  That means you need to plan actions based on what comes out of mentor sessions.  Absorbing is not enough.  Take the lessons learned to heart and apply them sooner rather than later before you forget what you were taught.  

The last part of the series in the Tim Stratton interview goes into how he got here and touches on mentor relationships.  While we stick to the specifics, there are some valuable generalizations to take away from it.  We saved the best for last as we wrap up our time with Tim. Mentor Relationships Change We briefly dropped the idea that Timothy has had multiple mentors throughout his life.  It is important to note that these have to do with the stage of life we are in.  I think most of us know that a childhood mentor is not going to necessarily help us as an adult.  However, it is important to remember that as we move through our careers.   The invaluable person in our early career development may not be very helpful and might even hold us back as our career proceeds.  We can outgrow our mentors and leaders in life. Nothing is Free Nothing worthwhile is free or easy.  We have to put something into mentor relationships in order to get value out of them.  Timothy spends some time talking about how he takes these relationships seriously.  He is intentional about listening for guidance and then acting on it.  He also provides feedback after the fact in order to get further mentoring. A Little Background Timothy is a software development manager at XSolis with a strong development background.  He has a master's degree and a love for learning.  We gave some details in part one and then dug deeper into how his career started and how those steps led to success today in part 2. Contacting Timothy You can send an email to info@develpreneur.com for other methods of connection. Unfortunately (for us), he is not a fan of social sites.  Thus, he keeps that footprint small.  However, he is happy to help others, and we can connect you through any of the normal Develpreneur avenues.

This episode of our interview with Timothy Stratton delves into experiences and how to be a better manager.  We compare notes on what has worked for us and traits of those we seek to emulate.  While the focus is on developer managers, there are many general suggestions as well. The Better Manager Summary There are many traits of a good manager.  We hit on the more generalized of these in our discussion.  These come from our experience as a manager and being managed.  We started our careers as developers and think we have some good insights into managing developers because of that foundation.  It is easy to do the things that you found to be positives when the roles were switched.  A golden nugget in this area is to remove obstacles for your team. The Weight of the World One of the more significant challenges in moving from developer to manager is becoming less hands-on.  We have skills that allow us to jump in and help get tasks accomplished.  However, that is not always the best use of our time.  There is a mental adjustment needed to move from a "do-er" role to a guide or director.  That is not an easy step to take and can often keep developers on a technical track rather than managerial.  Fortunately, there are rewards for either of these paths and we have good options for an extended career. A Little Background Timothy is a software development manager at XSolis with a strong development background.  He has a master's degree and a love for learning.  We gave some details in part one and then dug deeper into how his career started and how those steps led to success today in part 2. Contacting Timothy You can send an email to info@develpreneur.com for other methods of connection. Unfortunately (for us), he is not a fan of social sites.  Thus, he keeps that footprint small.  However, he is happy to help others, and we can connect you through any of the normal Develpreneur avenues.