I just had an interesting conversation with Derek, from the new website Social Triggers. He started a new website that combines two of my loves: online business and human psychology.
Social psychology fascinates the hell out of me. Figuring out why people do what they do makes me endlessly curious. It’s a subject that many people try to answer, but few can figure out. The topic of my own motivation is something that is elusive, and ever frustrating. What makes us start new good habits, and leave old one behind?
Derek explores motivation as it relates to online marketing. Good marketing is based in tapping into people’s motivations, and making them do what you want. Succeeding at self improvement uses the same human psychology tactics, except turned inward: getting yourself to do what you want. I’m having a little trouble with the later.
He was nice enough to take the time to answer a few of my questions, and his answers enlightened me. I hope his insights can teach you somethings as well…
1. What inspires you most?
Inspiration is a funny to me. Some people believe it’s an “aha!” moment, but I find that I’m most inspired after I do a ton of research. The more information available, the easier it is to come up with great ideas.
2. What two qualities do you think are key to having a successful blog?
4. What is the best lesson you have learned from blogging?
My best lesson came in 2007. I got a huge influx of traffic (more than 1 million unique hits in 7 days). Instead of trying to convert that traffic into regular email subscribers, I overloaded my site with ads. Sure, I made a lot of money, but it killed long-term growth.
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Derek Halpern writes over at Social Triggers about the human psychology behind marketing. If you like what you’ve read, consider subscribing to his blog , or go follow him on Twitter.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh, Hi Derek and Karen. I’ve spoken to Derek on the phone but not you, Karen. Maybe we should try that sometime.
I love Derek’s new site. People should subscribe for the good info but also to feed Derek’s ego.
Haha Shannon
I’ve spoken to Derek on the phone too… man that guy gets around..
We definitely need to catch up!
Hey Derek and Karen!
Hehe I love this part:
“… write good content. And two, promote the heck out of that content.”
I am absolutely awful at promoting my content – that’s the area that I’m working hardest to improve
Hey Sid,
That was my favorite part too… there’s something so fun about promoting. I love seeing what works, and what doesn’t and trying out new things. It’s like an art.
Too many bloggers focus on writing good content daily. Sure, that helps them build a loyal audience, but you’re better off updating 4 times per week instead of 7 times per week… if you spend the remaining time promoting the 4 pieces of content that you wrote.
Hi Derek and Karen,
Thanks for the nod to promotion. I’ve been writing 7 days a week. There seems to be so much to say about small steps and how they can be used. Both context and process. Well, I’ll get to the promotion … geeezz … I need to get to improving my site as well (currently a simple wp blog).
Where does inspiration come from? Sometimes from a couple of bloggers.
Thanks.
Have Fun,
Jim