Papasoft

Rick Tuttle - Miami Web Application Developer

Gary Vaynerchuk at FOWA Miami: My Advice for a Keynote Topic

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Gary Vaynerchuck is going to be giving a keynote at FOWA Miami in Febrary. Here is his video asking for ideas on the topics.

Tell Gary your ideas on what he should talk about here.

So here is my advice for a topic that I would love to hear Gary address.

No Time to Bail Out

I’ve heard some of Gary’s videos and comments on this down economy and how there are many opportunities for people who are not afraid to take some risks.

My take on it is this:

  1. The cost to develop a web site, blog or web application is less than it ever has been.
  2. The social media scene is about to explode once Twitter, FriendFeed and other tools hit the mainstream.
  3. Most of the competition is scared to make a move, especially big companies.
  4. This “down economy” presents the opportunity of a lifetime for entrepreneurs with an excellent niche idea that are able to move quickly.

Can’t wait to hear you speak Gary.  See you in Miami.

The Most Wonderful Two Weeks of the Year

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Why are the two weeks between Christmas and New Year’s the best two weeks of the year? These things come to mind: family and friends, traditions and spiritual renewal. But there is another reason why I love this time of year. In the United States, it is the only time in the whole year where it seems that everybody takes a break.

A True Freelancer’s Vacation

As a solo entrepreneur I am blessed to be able to set my own schedule and take time off whenever I want. My family and I try to take trips throughout the year at times when others might not be vacationing. It also helps that we homeschool our kids so we can take educational field trips as part of our vacations.

My problem as a solo web developer with no employees is that the web is always on and my customers don’t stop working when I am off. That means that I am permanently tethered to my PowerBook wherever I go and always aware of the closest wifi hotspot.

I have learned to manage my projects to allow me some down time throughout the year and usually succeed in protecting my “sacred” family time on the weekends. But there are always one or two projects that are “hot” during my time off and I end up getting pulled away to deal with issues.

The Stress of What Might Happen

What I have come to realize during these two quiet weeks of the year is that my stress level is considerably lower. There is no stress of “what might happen” or “be prepared just in case something goes wrong”. Proof?  I went to the doctor yesterday and my blood pressure was normal for the first time in a long time. The difference, even though I am still working, is that I know that most of my customers are taking time off and that I can work on what I want to work on.

So, to all of my lovely Papasoft customers.  Thank you for your business in 2008.  And thanks for taking time off during these most wonderful two weeks of the year!

Here’s to a productive and profitable 2009!

rt

Buzzword Bob

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Check out this guy who calls himself Buzzword Bub. Looks like he’s got an interesting angle on some of the hottest web and technology trends. It appears to be mostly parody of the hype surrounding things like Web 2.0, MySpace and the iPhone. But there is some truth in there.