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September 19, 2006

WHERE I'VE BEEN & WHAT I'M DOING NOW

Since the beginning of this year, I've written over 275 separate blog entries (of which only 39 have been posted here on The BeliBlog); signed a book contract and delivered an 1,100-page manuscript to my publisher; served as President of the Board of one of downtown Indianapolis' finest neighborhood associations; sadly, ended a relationship; and moved from Indianapolis, Indiana, to Orem, Utah, for what I believe to be the job of a lifetime.

What gives? Well...

All those blog postings I mentionedÖ they happened as a result of time I spent freelancing as a public relations and blog strategist (that's right, try not to fall out of your chair laughing; I said, 'blog strategist'). In short, up until mid-July of this year, I helped individual business owners and corporate clients establish authentic 'thought leader' and 'sense of community' status via CEO Blogs, Business Blogs. Micro-branded Blogs, and Wikis. I also spent a fair amount of time 'Ghost Blogging' for many of my clients, which when you stop to think about it is really no different than speech writing. Unfortunately, due confidentially agreements, I am not allowed to share the names of the people or companies I blogged for or what I wrote about, but I can tell you this: It was one heck of a gig! From overseeing the design and production of blogs and writing corporate blogging policies, to ghost blogging and advising clients on the do's and don'ts of the blogosphere, the work was challenging and sometimes overwhelming, but never once did I wake up for work and dread the day that lie ahead. Like my new job (see last bullet below), the work was fun, challenging, creative, and tremendously rewarding. As a direct result of the blogs I created, the blog entries I ghosted, and the press releases I drafted and distributed, one client secured a new book deal, another landed on a national television network's nightly news broadcast, and a third was profiled in a major consumer magazine. Like I said... fun, challenging, creative, and tremendously rewarding!

Last December I was voted onto the Board of Directors of the St. Joseph Historic Neighborhood Association--one of downtown Indianapolis' historically-designated / protected neighborhoods (and before anyone thinks this is a big deal, I'll share that I ran unopposed). Then, in January of this year, I was elected president of the Association's Board of Directors. If you've never served on a neighborhood board or committee, you should give it a whirl. The number of things that go on behind the scenes to keep your streets clean, your neighborhood safe, and the surrounding area community-friendly, are likely to surprise you. As you'll see below though, my tenure on the Board was short-lived, but I digress.

Back in February, a friend and I pitched Que publishing (a division of Pearson, a company I once worked for) on the idea of the two of us co-authoring the 2007 edition of the Internet Yellow Pages (yes Virginia, there really is a 1,200-page hard-copy directory of Internet websites--complete with descriptions and ratings for each--that people walk into bookstores to buy with their hard-earned moneyÖ Google, apparently, only takes you so far). Three months later, in May, we heard from the publisher that we got the gig but with the caveat that the entire directory had to be completed by the 10th of July. I don't know how, but Joe and I did it, and I am pleased to announce that the Internet Yellow Pages, 2007 Edition will be available starting October 12 on Amazon.com and at booksellers nationwide (click here to pre-order your very own copy today [sorry, shameless self-promotion, I know]).

In the midst of working on the Intenet Yellow Pages, serving on my neighborhood's Board, and blogging for everyone but myself, the GF and I ended our relationship. Out of respect for her feelings and wishes, I will not share any of the details, except to say that we're still friends and that we're helping one another deal the change.

Finally, in early-June, I was offered a job with a company run by three former business partners of mine from back in my Outdoor Network days. To make a long story short, the manuscript for the Internet Yellow Pages was due on the 10th of July, and two days later, on July 12th, with the help of my bestest friend Jerry (who flew in from Portland, Oregon), I drove out to Orem, Utah, where the following Monday I became the Director of Community & Education at Doba. To say that this opportunity represents my dream job and dream employer would be an understatement. The work is challenging, fun, creative, super rewarding, and right up my alley. My job involves developing programs that connect our members with one another, and creating content that helps our members reach and surpass their business-related goals. I love Utah, am enjoying the weather (I live close enough to the office that I can bike to work), and in case anyone is wondering, no, I have not converted to Mormonism (not that there's anything wrong with that!).

So, there you have it. Life has changed--pretty significantly in fact--since the last time I blogged in earnest. My plan moving forward (now that I'm settled and as unpacked as I'll ever be) is to blog again with the same passion and intensity I had before I convinced myself that I was too busy to blog.

Happy International Talk Like a Pirate Day, and Happy Birthday to me!

Posted by Mikal at September 19, 2006 12:28 AM | TrackBack