Bake Sales or Blogging: What's your Paradigm? - Christine Kane

A year ago, I picked up an injured cardinal on the side of the road. I took it to a wildlife rehab center in my city. I wrote a post about it. On a whim, at the end of the post, I accepted PayPal donations for the rehab center. I got over $900 in three days. The two women who started the center cried when they received the check.

Weeks later, we had a conversation about their fundraising. They’ve always done it the same old way. Bake sales and benefit concerts. Both introverts, they loathe benefit concerts. In fact, they detest fundraising. Their talent is rehabilitating owls and hawks, and many other wild animals that have been shot, hit by cars, or wounded by some other human contact.

I offered that they eliminate the Bake Sale paradigm from their business model. (You gotta bake a lot of muffins to raise $900.) “Start a blog!” I said. I suggested that one of their volunteers could write daily reports about different animals. She could add photos for every story to create connection and heart. I explained how blog software links up and networks, and how Google eats it all up. I said that their donations could now come from across the globe – not just from the locals.

They were interested. But they told me they didn’t have the time or the resources to do a whole new thing in their lives as they could barely keep up with the work they do already. They have not started a blog, nor have they changed their website.

Muffin, anyone?

New Success Requires Letting Go of Old Paradigms

Here’s the Indie Musician’s version of the Bake Sale paradigm:

Find ways to get money to make a CD. Use credit cards. Ask your mailing list to pre-order CD’s. Then, make the CD. Go on the road for at least two years doing shows to support the CD. Borrow more money for promotion. Pay back debt and hopefully make extra money, too. Hope for Big Shows, opening act slots and festivals – along with all the other musicians.

It’s not a bad paradigm at first. I’ve always made my money back on my CD’s. I’ve obviously made a pretty good living at it. Lots of my friends have as well. Many people barely scrape by, though. And the rest of us get tired of the constant touring. Some nights we get sold out crowds. Some nights the seats are half full. Sometimes we drive 8 hours to get to the next gig, only to wake up and do it again. By 35, we look like Keith Richards.

And of course, the new issue is that lots of people aren’t buying CD’s anymore – especially on college campuses. (At one college last fall, many of the students had their laptops open during my performance. One of them actually admitted to being on Limewire and downloading my songs for free as I was playing.)

As careers get better, you might make more money, but you then have to subtract 20% for agents, and 20% for managers. And take into consideration that retail store CD sales offer pretty low profit. You have to stay on the road and keep feeding that paradigm. It’s a hungry paradigm.

An Example of The New Paradigm

So, what’s the new paradigm?

The thing is, there isn’t one yet. And there may never be. What it’s really all about is a new way of thinking, and a whole new set of ideas directed towards new kinds of goals. And there’s a feeling that happens when you start to “get it.” There’s the internet and all of its conversations and ways of reaching people.

I started my blog two years ago this week. My blog audience is not songwriters. I don’t write about the craft of songwriting, even though that would’ve been an obvious choice for me. My blog audience is my music audience. My posts don’t appeal to anyone in the music business, necessarily. Nor are they designed to publicize my music. I started writing my blog mostly to continue the conversations I was having with people as I signed their CD’s after each show. That’s it.

So, here’s what’s shaping up to be typical of my new paradigm:

I wrote a post about my personal experience of creating a Vision Board at a friend’s house. It was months before The Secret DVD came out. Upon the release of that DVD, people began to Google “Vision Board.” My blog post was the very first thing that came up. (If you Google “Vision Board” today, my follow-up post on the subject is on top.)

At that time, I was facilitating my retreats for women once or twice a year. I only offered them to my mailing list. At my October 2006 retreat – seven months after my blog was born – two women who had never heard my music or seen me perform attended. This was the first time that had happened. They had found my blog after they saw The Secret, and went to Google to find Vision Boards. Then they started reading my blog. Then they came to a retreat. They bought my music there. I still see them when I tour to their city for shows, etc. (One of them is going on a beach trip this summer with the other women from that retreat. They’ve all stayed in touch.)

In 2007, I offered four retreats. It was the most I had ever offered in one year. They all sold out, and each retreat was attended by a handful of people who had discovered my music because they found my blog first.

At the retreat I facilitated this past weekend, (2008) over half the women attending had found my blog first. This same expansion has been happening at performances as well – though I don’t make the audience raise their hands or anything. Mostly people tell me about it at the CD table after the show.

The Siren Call of the Old Paradigm

If you’re creating a new paradigm, you might have many days where you just want to give up and do it the old way. This has been my biggest challenge.

In fact, most music biz people aren’t all that thrilled about my new paradigm example because it seems like a painfully long wait for someone to “discover” you. It’s also lots of extra work, they say. After all, you can perform at a festival and stand up in front of 5000 people. Or you can get on NPR and the whole country can hear you! Why not invest your time and effort into that?

The festival thing is valid. You really do build your audience when you play at festivals. And nothing can propel a show into a sell-out like a great interview on a local NPR or community radio station. I won’t deny that.

However, if you have a new CD and you want to get it out to NPR, then most radio promoters begin at $8000 for a several week push. Several weeks is all you get. And most of them do little more than put some postage on your CD and send it to the stations, then follow up with a phone call about your CD (and the other four CD’s they’re getting paid $8000 a piece to promote that week). And since NPR is the only thing in the world music business not owned by Clear Channel, that’s what everyone is thinking. Every single person who’s releasing a CD – from Lucinda Williams to your cousin Travis – is looking to NPR for their airplay.

Festivals are cool. There are a handful of great ones. But they’re only in the summer. And most of them don’t want the same artists year after year. And most of them are heavily booked by certain agencies that offer deals to the promoters for booking more than one of their artists. If you do get in the line up, you have one hour to do great. And then you need to follow up in that same community later in the coming year, and promote the show well. In other words, one festival doth not a career make.

Besides, this old paradigm is driven by the agents and the managers and the promoters. The new paradigm is more fun. It’s artist driven. It’s reader driven. It gives me the option of doing it how I want to do it. I am not only wealthier now. I am also decidedly happier. Just ask my closest friends.

(My retreats are all in my hometown, by the way. No travel.)

The Unavoidable Challenges of Two Paradigms

I’m on line a lot. I read blogs. I get eBooks. When I can, I study anything from on-line marketing to code writing to WordPress plug-ins. When I’m in this world – even though I’ve learned a lot – I’m a moron. Everyone knows more than I do. This world is filled with on-line marketing secret formulas , mixed up with lots of code and Google analytics. I bow to the gurus so I can monitor all the changes. It is a big world.

Then, I turn off my computer and do a performance. Or I go to a radio interview. Then, I wonder where all those people in that on-line world live. In this other off-line world, lots of people still use AOL. And in terms of computer know-how, I’m Steve freakin’ Jobs. In this arena, I say the name “Seth Godin,” and I’m met with blank stares. I say “Brian Clark” and the stares get blanker. In fact, in this arena, many of the presenters, DJ’s, promoters, and managers are a bit disdainful towards my on-line-ness. One radio interviewer got an attitude when we were on the air. He asked me why he or any of his listeners should care that I have a blog or that I’m ranked on Technorati. (He pronounced Technorati wrong.)

So, I’ll be the first to admit that moving over to a new paradigm will take some courage, some weird looks, and some mistakes. And it might mean you feel a little on your own. And for a while, it may even mean less income. But as Seth Godin said in his oft-linked-to music business talk,

“The only way you get from here to there is to just do it. Now, you might be wrong. But the alternative is you WILL be wrong.”

He’s right.

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35 COMMENTS ADD A COMMENT
  • Adam Kayce

    Oh, hey-ll yeah!

    I hadn’t seen this post before today, and it’s ultra-appropriate that I find this now, of all times (I’ll spare you all the story here, don’t worry). Suffice it to say, this is classic.

    I was blogging for a while (at Monk at Work, but then I got out of the habit… and as much as I’ve been thinking about getting back into it, there are a couple mental hurdles I’m still holding on to. Or, was. I’m going to root those suckers out and get back on the wagon. I know I’ve got to; I’ve just been stymied. Or, letting myself stay stymied.

    No more! (Thanks again.)

  • Laura

    Hi Christine,

    I am new at blogging, is this a blog? As Seth suggested, I am just going to “do it”. I am going to ask you if you would come back to the Tampa Bay area in December again. My birthday is in December, and my friends and I are trying to make your concerts a Non-Festival-approach to the early Winter local area venues. Gulfport and Tampa are good, but The Palladium in St. Pete has is great, and has great accustics. We will even take you to eat before or after the concert, and for breakfast the next day before you head out.

  • Jeffrey Stoner

    Christine:
    I just found your blog through a link from Barney Davey’s Art Print Issues.

    I “finally” started a blog a few weeks ago after knowing I should, but just not making myself do it. Now I have just have to blog more often.

    Your blog site is very well designed. Is this a commercial blog hosting/design site.

    Thanks
    Jeff

  • Sharon

    Hi Christine,
    This was the kick in the pants I needed to fire up a blog I started 1+ (yikes) year ago. I had a fantastic afternoon of thinking, being in the present, on the last afternoon of the retreat.

    Do you have any advice for writer’s block (blog) 🙂
    God knows (or, as my daughter says, Dog knows…) I have enough pictures to post. I reckon I just answered my own question.
    What do you think?
    http://www.sharonmcneill.com/blog/

    ps, the retreat just keeps coming up for me. It was pretty special.

  • m

    HI Christine

    if you are looking for a venue to hold a retreat in the uk I’d look into the Arvon Foundation they have locations all over the uk where they run their writing courses and the venues can be hired. They are all very historic houses in beautiful locations http://www.arvonfoundation.org

  • Christine Kane

    hi david – (i see from your blog that your house is coming along! kudos!) Thanks for all of that information and analysis. It makes so much sense when it’s written that way! (and I read the IBM Systems Journal every day! 🙂 )

    thank you tre! what a sweet comment! Maybe I should write a post about how I keep up with the technology aspects. Typically, however, what happens is that my blog stats start slipping – and I realize that I have to keep up – so I go on a binge of reading and trying to figure things out. It’s kind of chaotic. I’m not the most scheduled blogger! There’s so much great advice out there for bloggers though. And as for keeping up with ideas and what to write about – that’s something that’s an on-going thing. I don’t try to make every post perfect. I tend to write what’s on my mind at the moment. Thanks for your note – and let me know if you start a blog!

    thank you megan! i like the old-fashioned way too. (and that your friend was generous enough to send out CD’s to her friends!)

    hi laura! uh-oh…using blogging to avoid the dissertaion. that can be VERY easy! (but then you’ll have to find something to do to avoid the blog when it gets tough!) I’m looking forward to working with you next week.

    thanks marie!

    amylia – this one might take some time to think about!

    dezann – actually, i’ve had a handful of people fly from overseas to a retreat! (that’s really wild to me!) and yes, I’m speaking with someone in England right now about doing a retreat there. (i don’t mind traveling – just not all the time!)

  • dezann

    Hey christine:) That’s how i found your blog. I googled vision board and yours was the only one that explained and was very useful…and i dont even live in the US and am not an American. So your blog reaches and from my personal experience touches people all over the world. I downloaded your songs and have ordered your cds… the only drawback is i cant attend any of your retreats. Have u thought of doing a retreat outside of the US.. ah but then it would be travelling:) Keep on this new paradigm –it’s certainly made a difference in my thinking. All the best

  • amylia

    Tag, you’re it!
    What, pray tell, is your response?

  • Marie

    Hi Christine! Another fantastic article. I’m just starting to get more consistent with my blog and it’s just so much fun to put things up that you know could really make a difference! I also love the idea of letting go of old paradigms. Thanks again for the inspiration to keep going!

    Lots of love,

    Marie

  • laura

    Happy Spring, all,

    Thank you for this post, and for your blog. I came across it “by accident” in January when I was at a super low point. It helped me turn things around. I started a blog in February and I’m getting the hang of it. This is my first post at someone else’s blog. It’s not so scary anymore.

    I’m supposed to be writing my dissertation…but blogging is more fun.

    I look forward to the e-class starting the 31st! I’m reading, per your recommendation, Dr. Dyer’s book on intention. Powerful.

    Hugs,
    Laura

  • Megan

    I just wanted to post and add to the chorus saying just how much I enjoyed reading this. I found you in a bit more old fashioned way, through word of mouth and my best friend. I was having an especially touch time at the end of last year, and she — always a fan — had recently seen you in concert. She bought multiple copies of your cds and mailed them out to several friends, including me. Now I don’t think a day does by that I don’t listen to at least one song. Different days different moments I guess. That lead me to blog, and now my friend and I will be attending your retreat.

    Thanks for every word, written and sung.

  • tre ~

    hey….
    i’ve been checking the blog daily since last weekend to read anything about last week’s retreat.
    happily i read this and got so much more than what i thought i was looking for.

    you are a constant source of support in a world that feels at times like it’s not only laughing at me but cackling and ousting me out.

    bless you for this post.
    highlight it and make it a subject matter you address weekly. 🙂

    i keep being paralyzed by ‘but what would i write about?”
    in terms of the blog. some days i want it to be about a woman’s (mine) spiritual quest and findings. other days i wanna write to empower any young gal that’s ever doubted herself.
    other days i wanna write for anyone doubting him/her self.
    see a pattern?
    duh. author wanting to write about something she still struggles with.

    i can’t emphasize enuf how huge it is to read about your struggles YET SEE evidence of pushing onward.

    and your utter honesty about all in the music buz who give you a bad wrap for using the blogging.

    go girl.
    keep going.
    it’s doing more than just nudge me….it’s a tender hug and strong pull to jump aboard.

    also worth stating: i applaud your sisterhood in this.
    you are not approaching blogging as if it’s a market you wanna dominate.
    i love the sheer reality that we can all be successful at doing what we’re most passionate about and that my passion won’t steal any umph from yours / anyone’s kinda thing.

    i would value knowing how you keep ‘up to snuff’ with the technology stuff.

    i read some stats that offered the young women are more on facebook and myspace than men….and this is just an ounce of what i know to be true.
    take a look at who’s downloading ringtones and texting the most…..
    it’s not dudes marketing cd’s to npr now is it?

    grateful as ever for all you do.
    humming ‘right outa nowhere’ as i move forward.

    hugs, tre 🙂

  • David

    Hi Christine,
    A friend of mine made this post on his blog about DRM and the Music/Movie business. http://notabob.blogspot.com/2008/01/new-studio_27.html

    To which, I wrote the following reply about the business model for Music. Now I am an “outsider” as a performer, but I am a consumer, and a person in engaged in a service business.

    I don’t normally read the IBM Systems Journal, but the latest edition is on Service Science, Management and Engineering. The first article explains the difference between product-dominant logic and service-dominant logic, which leads me to a question I have been playing with for a while. Where does the music or movie really exist? Is music a product or a service?

    In product-dominant logic, the product is created away from the consumer, who diminishes its value through consumption. Since the value created is in the product, ownership of the product is the key control point. Our education and thoughts on economy have been based on this idea since the Industrial Revolution. DRM is founded in the notion that control of the media is control of the value.

    The disruption that began with digital renditions of music is the loss of control over the media ownership and presumed value creation. Service-dominant logic says that value is created in the interaction with the customer, and in fact, co-created with the customer. So, the music does not exist until it hits my ears and my brain. I don’t want to own the file, I want to own the experience of the music.

    The shift that needs to occur is a new business model that awards money at the point value is created. For music, that’s the point at which I listen to it. iTunes has come closest to achieving this.

    The longer companies try to tighten their grip with DRM rather than try to find a new service based business model, the more value will slip between their fingers.

    http://www.research.ibm.com/journal/sj47-1.html

  • Christine Kane

    thanks katherine!

    barbv – there is so much to learn in this world – especially for artists who have been told and told and told about how the “biz” is. it’s great to break out of the mold! and you’re right – it is tough to venture into something so vast. where do you start???

    lisa – you know, i’ve asked myself that same thing. it’s funny to log in to twitter and then be a part of the eckhart/oprah seminar. the opposite of presence for me is to be plugged in all the time. it hurts my brain. and i, too, have a very hard time figuring out the appeal of twitter. (so obviously, that won’t be where my audience comes from, will it? :-))

    dianna – you go girl! that’s great to reach all those goals. (after a year of so of blogging, i ran into an old friend of mine (kind of a computer geek) who heard me talking about code and php, etc – and she studied me and said, “ohmigod, what happened to you?”

    leah – i know nothing about the astrology part. but if you look at the enneagram – often the “five” likes to be online. it’s a safe place to connect for them! i go back and forth with how much onlineness i can handle. (as you can see by how long it takes me to respond to comments sometimes!) i’d almost always rather be in the woods!

  • Leah Whitehorse

    I really enjoyed this post and so much rings true. I do get quite frustrated when people don’t see the potential of online presence, or worse see it as some ‘less than’ method.
    The internet has given me unique opportunities, connections and friendships that wouldn’t have come about otherwise. Being part of a newsgroup years ago was the catalyst for 7 of us to get together and write a book which was published. Most of us never met and one lives in the States. The power of connection! Personally I feel I was absoutely born to be online *laughs* – that could be my uranus in the 2nd house if you are into astrology!

  • Dianna

    Praise for your paradigm post! I started my blog just 1 year ago this month. I have 93 posts as of today 3/20 on my principal blogsite…..but somewhere along the way, my dog Riley, and my brain and his just started clicking away….he has 50 posts on “his” blogsite – so I’m way over my initial goal of 100 posts in a year.

    My posts, my readers, your posts and a dozen very talented bloggers that I visit often, are leading me into creativity that I had long forgotten.

    I, too, receive just blank stares when I mention blogging – a few questions and “oh reallys?” but total disbelief that I, I, I would be a part of blogging – I must really be computer saavy, etc. Oh, boy, if they knew. But blogging was mentioned to me and it was just enough curiosity to take me and lead me to something new – so important – these something news in our lives.

    Again, thank you for the paradigm post. I will be sending readers here:)

  • Lisa Call

    Christine and Pam – I’d love to know if you find a use for twitter. It’s value still eludes me so I’ve avoided it. There are currently about 1 million users on twitter – the majority very technical – discussion a lot about geek stuff (and where people are current walking, sitting, eating).

    Things I think about: Is there a way of creating an interesting creative/arty discussion on there? How would it be different than the current online communities and conversations?

    Do we really need yet another thing? Is this an example of technology for technologies sake and the real world useful applications are lacking?

    Maybe I’m just being clueless and it’s obvious but so far I’m not seeing the value.

  • BarbV

    Once again, words that talk to me. I started a small online business to see if anyone would buy my ideas. I have learned so much about the internet and different ways to get your ideas out there. Thinking out of the box. I think the two women at the rehab center are like alot of people. On top of being so busy, its tough to try things you may know nothing about. Its easy to stick with the same old same old. What a great quote by Seth, thats going up on my chalkboard wall!

  • katherineME

    p.s.s.
    and when your next cd comes out, i will pay for that too!

  • Christine Kane

    m – that’s the stuff that lots of people forget to talk about. i’ve met some really great people through blogging. and i haven’t really “monetized” my blog either. I’ve just learned how valuable it is to a person (any person) who is self-employed or creative or whatever!

    katherine me – thanks for all of that! i actually did make up the name WebGuy. (for me, at least!) I didn’t know others used that term. so, hey – you’re not as stupid as you think! 🙂 i love erica wheeler. she’s a great writer. and – i’m not sure if your guitar teacher showed you this – but “off the ground” is in a “drop D” tuning. (the high e-string goes down to d.)

    monica – you’re so right. it’s the same way with artists just trying to keep up with the creativity and the business. it’s like “now you want me to BLOG???” i DO think, however, that it’s important enough for the important work that you do (that Wild for Life does) that someone step back, and be wise enough to use what little space they can find to re-think the fundraising. go to dogwoodalliance.org. they’re a really small group of women saving southern forests – and they simply do not forget to have meetings and keep re-thinking their strategy. (and they got a blog!) it IS do-able. start asking “how” — and who knows, maybe YOU’LL be that person!!

  • Christine Kane

    lisa – i thought of you as i was writing this post because you’re in such the computer-savvy world. strange that you experience this very phenomenon of splitness!

    colin – maybe you can interview me some day – and we have a big philosophical debate on the air!

    hey mary! i remember your dear husband changing my string. wasn’t that right before the very last song??? i’ve often said that i would totally loved to have pursue a path in comedy – it’s such an awesome craft. but i do NOT have what it takes internally! much harder than touring for music! take your time with the on-line stuff. it’s good that you have email for sure! 🙂

    hi carolyn – yes glue — try michael’s crafts. try Target. i got mine at the Paper Source – which i find in cities when I’m on the road. (great store by the way if you ever find one!) Indianapolis (if you’re near there) has some great scrapbooking stores in the north suburbs. (i can’t BELIEVE i remember this from playing there.) They should have it too. (amazon.com has it.)

  • Christine Kane

    susanna – thanks for your kind words. i’m truly glad that the post on vision boards helped! as for finding your way on the internet and opening up to different possibilities/paradigms — the first step is just being open. take it all in. read lots of stuff. (seth godin has some great free eBooks that will start you on the right foot.) that’s how i did it – and it just kept growing.

    leanna – that is fascinating! I just finished an e-Seminar, and one of the participants was a frustrated lawyer. i’m going to point her to your comment and your blog. thanks for letting me know about april 6!

    thank you kim! what a sweet note! I loved that show in salt lake. it was a special night for me. really great people. (like you!)

    pamdora – i just signed up for twitter – but I can’t find the inspiration to do it. being connected in and twittering at all times kind of freaks me out. my songwriting time is now spent at a non-wireless/no-cell-signal writing room at a campus near by – just because i have to un-hook for my creative time! twitter makes me nervous! 🙂

  • Monica

    I’m all for new paradigms–but I’ve also volunteered at the Bird Center of Washtenaw County (does have a website, doesn’t have a blog) and it’s CRAZY! Volunteers work around the clock all day, every day. As soon as one set of birds is fed, the first one is hungry again. Plus there’s medicines, etc. So I really get that these people are pressured. Most people who volunteer at such places are low tech… maybe student could make a blog?!

  • katherineME

    p.s.
    first time I heard you was around 10 years ago on a cd that featured cool women. “off the ground” was on it and i loved it so much that i had my guitar teacher figure out the chords. it is one of a few songs i learned how to play until i stopped in playing in mid-flight…had to do several things like have my life fall apart, divorce, blah, blah, blah
    happy to report though that the desire is back, life is good, i am itching to learn more and no longer afraid of a bar chord! In your words, “bring it on!”

  • katherineME

    I love you!!!!! this was a great read today…just in time for my friend and i as we plan our new business venture together. we are so close to leeping and the net appearing and all that! thank you thank you thank you.
    i remember laughing when I read one of your blogs mentioning your “web guy”. i thought you made up that term and i just thought it was funny. later, it seemed that maybe you did not make it up and that it is actually a term out there…so there are morons like you and then there is my catagory.

    You inspire me so, because you continue to be so real and full of grace as you go along. You pave my way. I am grateful that you do this blog and that it brings you wealth!!!!!
    today i purchased erica weelers new cd, summer rain (i think that is the title), PURCHASED, I say, from paypal…2 actually. one for a friend for her birthday and while i was at it, one for me. i know i did that because of reading your blog, hence getting a clue that musicians need to be paid. and, like you, erica is really great!
    i am so glad you exist on this planet the same time i do!

  • m

    I’ve not been great about turning my blog into my business or even my marketing really… but I’ve met so many fantastic people of my tribe though the internet and then in real life. Its given me a huge amount.

  • Carolyn

    Our Just Journaling writing group is making vision boards tonight. One of our members introduced us to your blog.
    Where do you get Yes glue? Can’t seem to find it up here. Your blog is now
    part of my regular 23 minute lunchtime
    reading! I’m a middle school teacher
    in Indiana (:

  • Mary Miller

    Hey Christine! As always,awesome blog,educational/inspirational/magically delicious(a mental muffin:)! I came to know you as a performer first, at Six String concerts in Columbus, OH, wow, I was uplifted! My boyfriend changed your guitar string at the last Six String concert, and after hearing me go on and on and on about you, he got hooked too. As a comedian, I can totally relate to not wanting to live on the road at this point in my life, so I’m so excited at the prospect of blogging. Thank you for opening my mind to a whole new world, I am embarassed to say I JUST got email and the internet-love it!It’s an exciting new frontier (well new to me), keep up the GREAT work-thanks! I’m visioning a retreat in my future.

  • Colin

    Lemme know who that radio interviewer was. I’ll give ’em a taste of the “Fr. Crusty Interview” technique. Keep blogging!
    CM

  • Lisa Call

    Hey Christine – great post – thank you – it generates lots of ideas for me.

    I come from the online world – I’ve been reading/sending email and participating in online communities since 1983. Hm – that’s 25 years. More than 1/2 of my life!

    It’s always been a separate world – this online-ness – and I’ve never talked much about it with my “real” world friends as it’s generally been the blank stare.

    I feel I belong to a huge community online yet I come to work, at a large software corporation, and none of them blog or participate in online communities – or at least admit it. Even here the name Seth Godin generates blank stares.

  • PaMdora

    Interesting post, thanks! Sometimes I think I spend too much time online, so was reassured that you can do it and still be creative. I’ve been reading your blog since Lisa Call recommended it — I’m an artist also in a exhibition group with her. Are you on Twitter? I just joined and looking for people to follow.

  • Kim

    Howdy do! I love your blog! I was linked here a while ago by a friend who wanted everyone to read something profound that you had written. That first day, I spent about 3 hours reading here, going from link to link to link. What fun!

    Then I had the great joy to see you in person here in Salt Lake City. That was the first time I had heard any of your music and I liked it a lot. Enough that I bought a few CDs. And when I listen to them, I’m filled with joy and happiness just because you’re you.

    One day I’ll get to a retreat. When it’s the right time for me to be there. Until then, I’m grateful for the blog. And the CDs.

  • Leanna

    Christine,
    I’m a lawyer with a blog. I get about 70% of my clients through my blog. But very often when I try to talk to other attorneys about blogging, I am met with the blank stare or the “I don’t have time.” They are still back in the days of yellow page ads, chamber of commerce meetings, or paying some big company $800/month for a generic website attached to a lawyer directory. I love my blog. I wouldn’t have the law practice that I have today without it.

    When I was reading your post, I glanced down to see the link for the rehab center’s blog… maybe someone will take pity on them and help them get it up and running, and then they can figure out how they’ll find the 15 minutes a day needed to update it. Or maybe they can get a high school kid to come in one day a week and create a bunch of new posts to go up through out the week.

    I’m getting ready for making my new vision board on April 6, the Aries new moon and the perfect time for vision-boarding!

  • Susana

    Hi Christine!

    I had actually done some “vision boards” years before “The Secret,” but the results weren’t happening. This time out I decided I needed to research and find people who’d done the boards and gotten good results, so yes, I too Googled “Vision Boards” and stumbled upon your blog. What a treasure trove!

    I found much so much more than what I was originally looking for, and have become a great big fan of your blog. You write with clarity, intelligence, insight, humor, directness and originallity.

    Currently, I am trying to extricate myself from the “outside” world of mundane employment. Figuring out what I can do with a computer and my wits to generate an income that’ll free me from the “old praradigm” of how we’re are supposed to make a living. I want to make more than a living, I want to make a life. I was sitting here at home tonight afraid to make a move. Any move.

    Thank you Christine. This blog entry was absolutely timely. Just what I needed in the moment.