Blogging in 2014: Mindful resolutions bloggers need for success - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

Blogging in 2014: Mindful resolutions bloggers need for success - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

Have you fallen into resolution traps, where they end up causing much anxiety and little success?

The New Year can be a dangerous time to reflect on  the past and plan for the future. Some advice: be careful about judging the past too harshly, and use caution in directing your future with resolutions. Both exercises take you out of the present moment and put pressure and anxiety on you to perform.

Power Quotes, out of evil mouths: Adolf Hitler & Joseph Stalin - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

Power Quotes, out of evil mouths:  Adolf Hitler & Joseph Stalin - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

Adolf Hitler was anything but stupid. He was an extraordinary evil mind with the power to motivate and murder millions. Hitler's racial and evolutionary motivated ideology led him to solid control of most of Europe through persuasive propaganda and force. We underestimate the power of evil minds of we dismiss and fail to understand them.

The genocide of Hitler's Holocaust extinguished 5.5 million Jews, and we avoid considering his ideas because we fear them. Fear is never a good cause for action or inaction. Understanding how he accomplished his horror empowers us to resist the threat of his powerful thought. His quote captures his power to control the reality of millions through finely tuned propaganda.

How to rock content marketing in 2014: 8 resolutions - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

How to rock content marketing in 2014: 8 resolutions - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

Mines the tradition of reflection and resolution for the new year as it applies specifically to content marketers in 2014, based on industry observations and projections.

Freelance Writing news: What you have to know about the Elance and oDesk merger - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

Freelance Writing news: What you have to know about the Elance and oDesk merger - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

What you must know about content marketing for 2014: Dramatic increases (infographic & review) - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

What you must know about content marketing for 2014: Dramatic increases (infographic & review) - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

Darin's note: Opportunities have never been greater for writers and other creatives who generate solid content in 2014. In the coming year, more freelance and in-office positions will be available, and along with an increased demand, we hope there will be an augmented compensation structure.

What if you started your New Year resolutions for 2014 right now? - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

What if you started your New Year resolutions for 2014 right now? - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

What is the day of the year when we make new resolutions? January 1st of course, the New Year.

But, 2 weeks remain in the 2013, and you have nothing to do except get ready for Christmas (ho, ho, ho) or the holiday of your choice. You already have resolutions in mind because it's instinctual: at the end of the year you prepare to make new goals. The tradition inspires you to grow and change.

The idea behind New Year resolutions is that you have a fresh new year to work with, where you have not made any blemishes yet. You are perfect with the entrance of the New Year.

However, think about the pressure and anxiety that a clean slate creates within you, so much anxiety that the feeling will probably intrude on your ability to keep the goal. The pressure of perfection is crushing. Long-term anxiety over keeping goals is not healthy.

The newest evolution in publishing: Pubslush, crowd-funding for authors and readers - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

The newest evolution in publishing: Pubslush, crowd-funding for authors and readers - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

So what prevents you from writing your book?

I always use the excuse of insufficient time and funds. You too? Pubslush attempts to make your life easier for writers in a unique, revolutionary way. They can potentially resolve both problems for you.

This is not an advertisement, but when I find a project that I like, I want to fill you in on the details.

Pubslush is crowd-funding specifically for writers. No other acts can put on a show, just you and other writers. You have a forum of your own to earn money and time to write. With money, you have time, right?

Here's the future of employment for you based upon your thinking style - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

Here's the future of employment for you based upon your thinking style - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

Mines the fact that employable people must align their working skills to symbiotically team up with technology, in a tight partnership.

Notes that without these mechanical/technological skill sets, a person will be unemployable.

The blogger's secret art of disagreement: Don't read! - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

The blogger's secret art of disagreement: Don't read! - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

Argument is not evil. Some bloggers and readers would have you think that it is. Saying that you disagree with someone for solid reasons does the group a favor. Academic scholarship and science are founded on this principle.

In fact, disagreement fuels innovation and forces creation, and the secret art gives you courage to be different and rile people up.

Do you want to fight me on this first point? 

Good. You should. Your disagreement might provoke me to see new insights. Along with other things, disagreement engages critical thinking skills. 

Is Stephen King for real about writer's block on his first day tweeting? - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

Is Stephen King for real about writer's block on his first day tweeting? - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

Darin's note: Surely Stephen King jests. He's capable of exquisitely morbid tales of darkness thousands of pages long, but can barely mutter a couple of wimpy tweets on his first day out? I am a fan, but hoped for something more than a quip about Twitter virginity. Maybe it's an intriguing start to a new master plot. He's building intrigue and suspense.

But, maybe he is experiencing the terror his characters feel when tortured by writer's block. Perhaps he cannot confine himself to the brevity of a tweet. Maybe he can't do it.

How start-ups must become customer support superstars - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

How start-ups must become customer support superstars - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

Mines the importance of customer relations from the chaos of starting-up, through the highest level of alignment, in order to show you how to effectively become a customer experience superstar.

Notes that the psychologist Clayton Alderfer created the "ERG model" that simplified Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. The E at the base of the pyramid stands for Existential, or the most basic needs of a person; the R stands for Relatedness, or a person's social needs; and the G at the top of the pyramid stands for Growth needs. People cannot move up to the next level before the previous level is fulfilled.

This model can be used as an analogy for the needs in relationships with customers

Secrets Ad Age's brand new white paper reveals about social media marketing 2014 - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

Secrets Ad Age's brand new white paper reveals about social media marketing 2014 - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

Darin's note: This information is based upon a brand new white paper that Ad Age put out for free access if you are willing to register with them (also free). The white paper contains all the background data and research that the following conclusions are based upon. If you'd like the white paper, click on the title above the quote or on the image.

Mines the big data behind social media in 2013 in order to make predications for marketing and branding in 2014, using Ad Age's access to powerful data and research tools.

How freelance writers earn the most cash - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

How freelance writers earn the most cash  - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

Mines the methods of increasing cash flow that do not require you to do marketing, something most freelance writers do not enjoy.

Notes that the methods are easy, but many times overlooked. Why not earn more cash if it's easy, especially when freelance writers tend to receive less than they deserve?

Power Quotes on the art of expressing gratitude: Bertrand Russell & a Chinese Proverb - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

Power Quotes on the art of expressing gratitude: Bertrand Russell & a Chinese Proverb - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

It's tough finding a gratitude quote that is not overly cliche or cheesy, isn't it? Well, I was delighted to find these, both of which are from non-Christian contexts. I grew tired of the regurgitated gratitude quotes over Thanksgiving, my mind as stuffed as my belly. I longed for a more subtle approach to the issue than the too often repeated "an attitude of gratitude."

How to amp your blog traffic to over 100k per month, from the marketing boss Neil Patel - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

How to amp your blog traffic to over 100k per month, from the marketing boss Neil Patel - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

I have followed the moves of Neil Patel for some time now, as he arose from almost nothing to virtual stardom in marketing. I share his tips for gaining traffic, but I want to point out that his words deserve special attention. He knows what he's talking about.

Mines his experiences with 3 of his own blogs and 20 of the 100 top blogs on the internet, in order to show you how you can boost your monthly traffic to over 100k in a year and a half or less.

Here's how India can become an economically "developed" country by 2020 - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

Here's how India can become an economically "developed" country by 2020 - ZipMinis: Science of Blogging and Writing

Mines the current state of India's economy and commerce in order to forecast changes that need to be made before 2020.

Notes that India must be viewed through the lens of democracy as it has become the government of choice in the global market, with the consent of the people guiding public policy. With a democracy already in place and a competitive market, India has distinct advantages over other developing nations.