PRACTICE MARKETING blog

Today Michael Arrington took a break from his extremely popular blog TechCrunch; read his blog post. You may not know his name; but in high geekdom, in the Web 2.0-mosphere, in the blogopshere... Michael Arrington may as well be a deity. And I've read enough blog commentary and outright reports about Michael's Arrogance. Maybe he is... or maybe he is stand-offish for rightful reasons. Or sick and tired of being pitched all the time... I can only imagine.

But this brings up a more serious question... NOT "what will happen to his blog?" For Michael has empowered other writers to contribute to his blog; like a magazine - not a column. TechCrunch is an institution; not a personal brand. And I'm sure Michael's brand will be preserved (in whatever perception people have). [Incidentally, I am also proud of how Dan Schawbel has brought on other writers on his Personal Branding Blog. Likewise, I welcome Barry & Mark that have begun to post here too.]

That's lesson #1 to be learned. Leverage your personal brand: Create intellectual property that no requires your physical presence. Musicians create albums, then create labels. Trump is not just a real estate developer. This way you can take a break, and keep rollin'.

But there's another lesson opportunity raised...
It's a frustration raised to me by luddites, naives, the confused or complaining alike.
"Facebook and all that blogging stuff just makes my personal life too... public.
I like my business communications to stay... professional."
Of course, it is said to me with a sneer or disappointment. I have to smile. And I have to comfort. ... I listen and nurture, before predicting and advising. If they're nice

First I explain, "Well, business is changing..." I don't get into it in personal usually... but actually, it's going back to how it used to be. In small towns and villages - for most of our civilizations - thrived on knowing each other. Fights happen; laws were needed - but, "your word is bond." And the Internet brings a transparency to our business life. Sure, I don't like cameras (figuratively & literally) - and have always carried a film of Orwellian cynicism even in my most idealistic & righteous days - very proud for supporting ACLU, etc. -- (paint with me with some broad brush if you must).

But the Internet, more importantly, enables us to craft our brand... to show off what we want to show off... sure, we have to joke with friends "don't paste this all over Facebook"... but our life is wonderful with these little gadgets that could equally embarrass us. It's the responsibility we all have - with this great power (personal branding using the Internet, that is).

But as our fame grows, so does the public's want of us. Michael Arrington reminds us of the dark side of celebrity. We know we can't be safe by hiding - or by avoiding crafting our personal brand. My mindful thoughts go to him and his family. While some kill to win, win to kill, and kill to kill... we need to win to win in a way everybody wins.

We should all take a break some time. We should be allowed family space - no matter how much we are in, want, or are about the lime light.

Can we grow our personal brands, while protecting our family privacy? Yes we can.