Why Simply Productive Exists

I’ve recently started participating in Darren Rowse’s challenge to build a better blog in 31 days.

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Our first reminder and challenge was to write an “Elevator Pitch” for our sites.  For me, this was easy as, since I’ve restarted blogging, I’ve known just why I do it.

This sites reason for being is:

We all want to really "Make a Difference" in the lives of people around us.  This site is about becoming better leaders and a more productive people.  As well as sharing my learnings for the benefit of others I hope and pray that others will share with me as we all strive to make this world a better place to live.

I’ve also shortened this to give me the tag line of:

Asking questions and sharing answers about productivity and leadership.

These have both been added to my home page, but before I get too comfy and settled about them I believe I should ask for your thoughts.

  • Do I really write as though this was the reason for this site?
  • Is there a better way to say either of these?
  • Does this “Elevator Pitch” make you want to come back and participate in the discussion?

Thanks for your comments, I’ll make sure I reply to each.

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18 comments ↓

#1 Paul Gardner on 04.07.09 at 8:56 am

I’ve posted about why my “Simply Productive” site exists and asked for comments. Pse check it out and have ur say http://bit.ly/hHxiS

#2 Paul Gardner on 04.07.09 at 9:16 am

posted why my “Simply Productive” site exists & asked 4 comments. Pse check it out & have ur say http://bit.ly/hHxiS #eProductivity #GTD #fb

#3 Sam McGuire on 04.07.09 at 11:26 am

Reading: “Simply Productive » Why Simply Productive Exists” (http://twitthis.com/r7qrds)

#4 Gavin Knight on 04.07.09 at 10:48 am

it’s good but a bit dry, so I suggest you put something of yourself in it

as I understand it, it’s about your personal journey, not just dry knowledge

eg “Asking questions and sharing answers about productivity and leadership.” or something along those lines

also your blog title “Simply Productive” doesn’t bring out the leadership dimension, how about something like “Simply Productive in Leadership”

#5 Gavin Knight on 04.07.09 at 10:52 am

sorry missed out the words I suggest you insert into your tagline

“Asking questions and sharing answers [as I explore and learn more] about productivity and leadership.”

#6 Paul on 04.07.09 at 10:56 am

@Gavin Knight

Good thoughts. Without a doubt I’ll take this on board before I post a finalised version (but I’ll wait for other comments too!)

I especially like your suggested tagline but with the blog title I want to keep it as short as possible! Any further thoughts?

#7 Paul Gardner on 04.09.09 at 10:49 am

Still refining the wording of the reason for Simply Productive http://bit.ly/hHxiS >> Pse make ur suggestions to improve

#8 Sam on 04.10.09 at 11:45 am

I like it that your blog has such a clear purpose. However, is there a punchier way to express “answering questions and sharing answers”? Maybe, ‘Productivity and Leadership in discussion’ …

Sams last blog post..The Pitch

#9 Michael Cowen on 04.15.09 at 1:41 am

Hi Paul. Here we go: @mjcowen

#10 Michael Ramm on 04.15.09 at 2:31 am

Hey Paul, I am just following up on your request to post a comment on this post. I am looking forward to reading some of your older posts and excited to see some your new stuff.

We are working to relaunch Black Belt Productivity around the 1st of May and I hope that we can team up to ‘make a difference’ together. My BBP cohort (@jasonechols) has a particular passion for leadership topics.

My twitter stream is at @michaelramm and our blog’s stream is at @blackbeltprod.

I look forward to connecting with you.
Michael

Michael Ramms last blog post..Big Rocks and Little Rocks

#11 Suzanna B. Stinnett on 04.16.09 at 10:48 am

Hello Paul,
First off, please connect with me on Twitter @brainmaker, on my site greatadaptations.org.

Regarding your blog title, I think “Simply Productive” is just fine. We all have the same struggle with brevity and meaning in these titles. You add the leadership factor right there in the subheading, and you can include leadership in many ways in your content, continuing that part of the conversation. Leadership and productivity are closely interwoven, so I wouldn’t worry about the word “leadership” not being in your title.

Regarding your elevator pitch, some thoughts. I relate best to another person’s description of their intention when they begin with what they want or intend. Making a generalized statement about what people want (to make a difference, in this case) puts me off a tiny bit. Not huge, but a little. I would cut to the chase with “This site is…” and then maybe say “for people who want to make a difference” to build on it.

The last sentence does not magnetize the reader. If I am going to interact with someone about productivity and leadership, I’m not sure I want to hear that they are “hoping and praying” that others will share. These aren’t leadership actions, at least not in this particular context. I would rather see that the author is capable of drawing out participation in others, and have that articulated in some way. To show your passion about productivity and leadership, for example, is to trigger people to follow and share. Make it an intention, not a wish, is what I am saying.

Very best wishes,
Suzanna Stinnett

Suzanna B. Stinnetts last blog post..The Collaboration Code

#12 energyk on 04.16.09 at 11:04 am
#13 Anca on 04.17.09 at 1:25 am

Let’s talk productivity …

twitter: http://twitter.com/CyclopeSeries
e-mail address: info@cyclope-series.com

Ancas last blog post..When employee monitoring is illegal?

#14 energyk on 04.17.09 at 10:01 am
#15 Oke Timothy on 04.19.09 at 10:21 pm

Hello paul. I saw your request at problogger and i felt i should come here and contribute. Although i am a personal development blogger, it can easily in into productivity and leadership. Personally, i love your clear intent and i think that is what really matters. My intent is visibly clear in my header on my blog and that is the purpose of having that blog. Since you are clear about yourself, you can always have success. I really look forward to knowing you and working with you. My Twitter is @allroundsuccess and my blog url is allroundsuccess.Com

#16 Mark Essel on 04.22.09 at 2:40 am

I think we’re kindred bloggers (also from problogger forum post)

My first interest upon seeing your blog title was discovering tools that could help me become a better leader, and improve the productivity of myself and those that I share with (readers).

That appears to match with your elevator pitch right?

Mark Essels last blog post..Navigators To Truth

#17 I am a US Blogger on 04.25.09 at 2:25 pm

waoo! Cool article.
I found you on Darren’s blog BTW :)

I am a US Bloggers last blog post..Review: QuickOffice iPhone App

#18 Словарь Юриста on 07.24.09 at 12:15 pm

списки кандидатов, выдвигаемые партиями политическими и избирательными объединениями (блоками) на выборах в представительные органы, проводимые сообразно пропорциональной избирательной системе.

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