• The site got a much needed design refresh. Many thanks to the Wizard, Michael Novotny, for the code magic. Simply stunning!
• We’ve got a brand new webinar coming up next week. Drew Goodmanson and myself will be hosting “5 Communication Trends You Can’t Afford to Miss“. As always, it’s free.
• So thankful for the community here in Des Moines. Truly. Traveling around the country, I know what the perception of this great city is, but I don’t care. We’ve got a gem here in the midwest. Balee dat!
• Speaking of the midwest, I’ll be serving on the social media team for Big Omaha in May. Silicon Prairie News puts this on every year and it’s the place to be. Won’t you consider joining in this year? We’ll show you how the midwest rolls!
• Ben Arment wrote a great piece on networking. Like him, I’d rather be wandering the streets at night after a conference, deep in thought. But there is a necessity that comes along with being entrepreneurially-minded: You can’t go it alone. That’s why you need to network. You need the people around you.
• Part of the reason behind this blog design is a new commitment to minimalism. If “form follows function,” this blog was functioning in the wrong way. I’ve ditched the ads–no one was biting anyway. But like Leo over at Zen Habits, I’ve found a freedom in not having advertisements here. The clutter wasn’t worth the $100/month. I’ve also cleaned up some of the design and stripped the blog down to its essence: Providing good content. More thoughts on the redesign later. I hope you enjoy.
• Minimalism is hard to do, BTW.
• Thrilled to see Eli and the Giants pull off the Super Bowl. Even more thrilled to have a small group of men and women to share that experience with. Friends rule! What did you do for the game?
• I’ll be at the NRB Expo next weekend and San Diego at the end of the month. Anyone want to connect?
• I snuck in an announcement for an advanced social media metrics course I’m planning. If you’d like to sign up for the interest list, go here.
• Iowa: If you don’t love it, leave it. And that’s all I got to say about that.
• Below: Anthony James shoots the game-winner over Doug McDermutt in UNI’s victory over Creighton. KABOOM!
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Dude! I meant to ask you if you knew anything about Big Omaha on Friday, but didn’t get a chance. I didn’t know it even existed a week ago, but I’m thinking of attending.
You should make plans to be there, man. You won’t regret it!
Love the new look, Justin! Very clean and to the point.
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Oooo, loving the floating right hand column! You are now like the Resurrection of Jesus tapestry on the wall of the Vatican. Your eyes follow me wherever I go.
I shall follow you. Everywhirrrrrr.
“Iowa if you don’t love it, leave it”? Wha? Kinda harsh. Is that just a taste of the awesomeness of the awesome community that makes the Midwest so awesome?
Google “Ricky Stanzi USA quote”. Then you’ll know.
Blog looks great Justin. Love the simplicity and the extra elements such as the sidebar with newsletter and photo that stays locked as you scroll down the page. Good job. The focus on newsletter / subscribe optins is great too. Build that Tribe.
I have never been to Iowa. If it is as flat as Indiana, then I am not missing much. However, I am tempted to roll a bowling ball in that general direction to simply see if it would eventually roll into Iowa.