In this episode of Startup Daddy I talk with Mitch Joel about his new book, Ctrl Alt Delete: Reboot Your Business. Reboot Your Life. Your Future Depends on It.  We also touch on his thoughts about balancing what he calls the three tiers of entrepreneurial life- Family/Personal, Community, and Professional.

Technology has fundamentally changed the relationship between businesses and consumers.   Ctrl Alt Delete is divided into two sections.  The first section focuses on changing the way you approach your business (rebooting) to better fit in this new internet connected world.  The second section (Rebooting You) focuses on things you can do personally to make sure, as Mitch puts it- you are employable in the next five years.

I think for business owners and entrepreneurs like us, these two things are one in the same.  The book does more thank just present high level concepts. Mitch makes real, actionable suggestions, broken down into easy to relate to lessons.  Not necessarily “How-to” step by step stuff, but ideas about how you can apply the lessons to your own life and business.

I’m a huge fan of Mitch’s podcast and blog, and I really hope you buy his new book:
Ctrl Alt Delete: Reboot Your Business. Reboot Your Life. Your Future Depends on It.

He’s also created a really fun website to support the book. It’s got some great statistics and information about how technology has transformed business. Check it out at : ctrlaltdeletebook.com

To sweeten the deal for you, I’ll be releasing my Ebook on writing your business plan next week.  If you buy Mitch’s book in the next week (before June 1, 2013), email me your receipt and I will send you my new ebook for free.

You can listen to this episode here:
http://traffic.libsyn.com/startupdaddy/Ep26_Mitch_Joel_Cntrl_Alt_Delete.mp3

Right click to download the Mp3 here.

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In this episode of Startup Daddy, I talk about the new rules of Search Engine Optimization.  The new rules of SEO rely heavily on social media, specifically having your website and content shared on social media websites.

I also talk about the importance of a Google Places profile to Local Businesses.

• Sign up for a Google Places account.
• Google’s explantion of  the differences between local pages in Google+
• Great breakdown on the  integration of Google Places Dashboard With Google+ Local from from Search Engine Land.

Are you interested in participating in a new interactive business start-up community?  I am considering starting one for you so you can learn from and support each other.  Let me know in the comments if you prefer to be a part of a LinkedIn group or if Facebook is your preference.

Like what you hear?

Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes.

Get the show on your Blackberry

 Please consider leaving a review in iTunes.

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In this episode, of Startup Daddy I talk about some things you can do to get your business off to a great start in the coming year.

• I cover the 3 Words exercise started by Chris Brogan, where you pick 3 words that will frame your year. If you pick three words, please drop them in the comments below.
• I talk about Mailstrom, a tool that in their words, puts you back in control of your inbox — power through thousands of messages in just a few clicks. I tried it out, and Mailstrom did help me get my inbox under control. Give it a try.
• Archiving and backing up your important data
  • Dropbox (use this link and we both get extra space!)
  • Google Drive
  • Amazon Cloud Drive

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Startup Daddy is a Business Startup Podcast hosted by Ian Gordon.  We discuss the issues surrounding getting a business started, and growing that business once you get it off the ground.

In this episode, of Startup Daddy, I answer some questions from audience email.  Some of the topics covered include:

• Do the Work, by Steven Pressfield (Amazon affiliate link)
• Domino Project
• Starting A Business Plan
• Getting Your Business Funded
• Advice About Presentations & Pitches
• What Makes A Good Presentation or Elevator Pitch
• Guy Kawasaki’s 10, 20, 30 Rule for making presentations or pitches

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Startup Daddy is a Business Startup Podcast hosted by Ian Gordon.  We discuss the issues surrounding getting a business started, and growing your business once you get it off the ground.

In this episode of Startup Daddy, I talk about the best business books for starting a business, and a service that makes it easy to share large files with clients (or anyone else).  I get asked about books a lot, so I made a new page on this site called, Recommended Reading.  I thought it may be interesting to do a podcast episode on the subject, and I also thought it may be interesting to turn this into a video, so I did that too.  We’ll see how much extra work it is, and your feedback, and maybe I’ll do it this way more often.

I want to build up my Youtube Channel, so if all works as intended, you’ll be able to watch OR listen in your iPod or iPhone or Zune, OR watch it on this site or Youtube.  Please drop by the Startup Daddy Youtube Channel, and subscribe to the channel to be notified when I post a video there.  I plan on having some fun with that soon.

Below the video for this episode are the links for the books I talk about.  These are Amazon affiliate links. If you are concerned with this, it may be a good time to review my Disclosures Page.

Here are my picks for the best business books to read when you are starting a business

Some are literally how to start a business, some are about getting more done and productivity, but all have something that you can take away that will make you a better business owner, and hopefully, make you more money.  I have read them all, and they have all influenced how I think and act as an entrepreneur.  It is far from a complete list of good business books, but it’s a great start.

After watching the video, drop me a comment and let me know if you have any great business books to add.

If you only read one book about starting a business, please read this one. Seriously.

The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It, by Michael E. Gerber

Books About Getting A Business Started and Transitioning from Corporate Life to the Entrepreneurial Life:

Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money-That the Poor and the Middle Class Do Not! by Robert T. Kiyosaki

The Art of the Start: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything by Guy Kawasaki

Escape From Cubicle Nation: From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur, by Pamela Slim

Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion, by Gary Vaynerchuk

The 4-Hour Workweek, by Tim Ferriss

Books About Productivity and Getting Things Done

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, by David Allen

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

Leo Babauta’s  EBook, Zen to Done

File Sharing

The files sharing service I talk about is called Dropbox.  It is a free service that makes it easy to share large files with other people or keep them synced with multiple devices.  If you have an iPad, it’s a must.  If you use this link to sign up with Dropbox, we both get a little more free storage.

Download Video File
Photo Credit by p!o

Do you have any great business books to add?  Let me know in the comments.

Startup Daddy is a Business Startup Podcast hosted by Ian Gordon.  We discuss the issues surrounding getting a business started, and growing that business once you get it off the ground.

In this episode of Startup Daddy,  I talk about one of the challenges I have been facing getting my new business going.  Starting a business with young children in your life is hard. Period.  Hopefully, by talking about some of my challenges, I can encourage some of you, to push through your challenges, and not give up.

I get more personal than I usually do, and talking about something that is holding you back is always a little scary.  It is also cathartic.  Just putting this out there has already helped refocus my energy on my goals.

I want to hear from you, so I leave you with a question.  What are you struggling with right now?  Whether it falls under balancing family life with getting things done for your business, or something with the business itself, let me know.

Trust me, it does help to talk about this stuff, so let’s talk about it in the comments.

Listen here:
http://media.libsyn.com/media/startupdaddy/SD020.mp3

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Startup Daddy is a Business Startup Podcast hosted by Ian Gordon.  We discuss the issues surrounding getting a business started, and growing that business once you get it off the ground.

In this edition of Startup Daddy, I talk about changes Facebook made this week, and Facebook Social Plugins. They are big changes that impact not only traffic to your website, but the way you can market your business.

If you have a Facebook Fan Page for your business or yourself, you need to know that Facebook changed the “Become a Fan” button, to “Like.”  The other thing Facebook did, which is significantly more important, is that they just took their Like button, and put it all over the internet.

Facebook provides a tool that outputs the code you can place on your website to include a “Like” button.  After you install the code, this is what it looks like on your site:

When someone clicks the Like button, this is what it looks like on Facebook:

After listening, follow the link below to learn how to implement the Facebook Like button on your site.

I also talk about a non-profit I have become involved with, called the Mikey Network.  The Mikey Network  works to create public awareness and provide education about heart healthy lifestyles. They are committed to placing public access defibrillators, which they call “MIKEYs” in as many high-risk locations as possible.  This is a great cause and it’s near and dear to me personally, as my Uncle’s company started this non-profit.  Please help me support the Mikey Network.

Links to things I talked about in this episode:

The Facebook’s page for their Facebook Social Plugins

Chris Penn’s post on the Blue Sky Factory Blog: How to implement 2 Facebook Social Plugins in less than 5 minutes.

Facebook Fan Page for the Mikey Network– Please Join!

My Fundraising Page to make a donation to support the Mikey Network’s sponsorship of the Cardiac Health Foundation WALK OF LIFE.  Anything helps! Event Has Passed

Listen here:
http://media.libsyn.com/media/startupdaddy/SD019.mp3

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In addition to any questions or comments about the episode, if you make a donation on my fundraising page, please leave a comment here so I can give you a shoutout in the next episode.

Thank you!

Startup Daddy is a Business Startup Podcast hosted by Ian Gordon.  We discuss the issues surrounding getting a business started, and growing that business once you get it off the ground.

In this episode of Startup Daddy, I interview Scott Stratten, president of Unmarketing, and author of a soon to be released book: UnMarketing: Stop Marketing. Start Engaging (affiliate link).

Scott has a successful company, popular marketing blog, busy speaking schedule, and a book deal with a major publisher.  I figure that’s someone you could learn from.  He’s also one of us.  He’s a dad juggling the challenges of raising his young son and growing a business.

So we sat down at the coffee shop he calls his office to talk.  Here are some of the things we talk about:

• Twitter
• Ways small businesses and solo entrepreneurs can find the time for social media
• Picking the right social media platform
• Using public speaking to grow your business
• The book he has coming out in Fall

You can connect with Scott on his blog, UnMarketing, or on Twitter as @unmarketing.

You can pre-order his book now: UnMarketing: Stop Marketing. Start Engaging (That’s an Amazon affiliate link but you can find it on all the major online bookstores, or buy it in a real brick and mortar store when it comes out in August).

Listen here:
http://media.libsyn.com/media/startupdaddy/SD018.mp3

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Startup Daddy is a Business Startup Podcast hosted by Ian Gordon.  We discuss the issues surrounding getting a business started, and growing that business once you get it off the ground.

In this episode of Startup Daddy I talk about creating a professional looking presence on social media sites like Facebook and Youtube.

Facebook has over 400 million active users.  More than half log in every day and the average user spends about an hour per day there. See why you should be there?

In this episode, I talk about some if the little things you can do to make sure your presence on sites like Facebook and Youtube is professional looking.  You need to stand out, and look like the kind of company that cares about the details.

Helpful links:

– Link on Facebook, to create a Fan Page

– Good step-by-step guide to creating a Facebook Fan Page. (Skip down to step 1, and be watchful of the ads)

– 5 Elements of a Successful Facebook Fan Page

– Tutorial for creating a custom landing page for your Fan Page. (Good tutorial. I only used the top line of code for the image, and then entered my own text. I ignored from “<?php ” on).  You will need a basic understanding of HTML in order to use a custom image and link back to the wall. Otherwise, you can just use the setting in Facebook to have people go to your “Info” page first instead of the wall.

– To make a custom Youtube channel background or Twitter profile background, you will need image editing software like Photoshop.  Basically, you make an image with specific dimensions, and them you upload that image to the site. Google comes in real handy here.

– Google search results for “custom youtube channel background”

– If you don’t have Photoshop or an equivalent, there are sites that will let you customize one online, like Twitterbackgrounds.com. (I haven’t used this site)

– Memory Deck’s Youtube Channel

– Facebook Fan Page for Memory Deck (Friend us up!)

This weekend is Podcamp Toronto!

Podcamp Toronto site

What I’ll be talking about

Listen here:
http://media.libsyn.com/media/startupdaddy/SD017.mp3

I want to welcome all the new listeners.  As always, if you like what you heard, please subscribe to the show in iTunes and leave a review for the show. Thanks!

In this episode of Startup Daddy I talk about my new company, Memory Deck.  I hope that by talking about the process I’m going through as I start this new company, you will see that you can do it too.

While my partner and I have been researching and planning this for months, when it came time to create the company and form the LLC, we got the whole process done in a week.  Yes, I filled out the application at LegalZoom, and seven days later we had a company with a business checking account, and we were on our way.

I’m not smarter than you.  You can do this.

Listen here:
http://media.libsyn.com/media/startupdaddy/SD016.mp3

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In this episode of Startup Daddy, I’m going to talk about a new business I’m starting, and some tools I am using to collaborate with a partner in another Country.  In today’s time saver quick tip, I’m going to talk about some things that will help save you some time and money when it’s time to file your taxes.

If you are interested in 1 on 1 coaching, go here.

Learn about Google Apps.

Check out Skype.

Friend me up on Facebook.

Add me to your network on LinkedIn

Listen here:
http://media.libsyn.com/media/startupdaddy/SD015.mp3

Download the Mp3 of this episode.

Leave a comment and tell me what you think, what you want to learn about, or anything else you want to share.