Saturday Project Update - Endgame, JV's, and Going All In

09 Jan 2010

Saturday Project Update – Endgame, JV’s, and Going All In

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innovation

What’s Your Endgame

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about possibilities and opportunities, and as I revise and update my 5 year plan, I can’t help but spend time imagining what the future looks like.

I’ve said it before that I believe blogging is more of a stepping stone than it is an endgame, and as such I’m working to establish my brand in a manner that gives me the flexibility to pursue outside projects without sacrificing my core.

I’m intrigued by future technology, such as flying cars and robots (believe me, it will be here sooner than you think). I’m interested in biomechanics and the way that human thought can mesh with innovative technology. I’m looking at gaps in the new media industry and figuring out how I can help to fill them.

There’s a world of opportunity outside your sphere of comfort and influence…what are you doing to engage it?

JV’s

I’m a huge believer in joint projects. No, not the kind with the green stuff, but the kind where you sit down with another game changer and make magic together. I worked with Mike to create the Beyond Blogging Project, and I’m working with my pal Rich to create some other really cool stuff. I’ve also signed on for a few small collaborative projects (more on those soon), and am always looking for other people to jam with.

I’ve played the game solo, and although it might be more profitable, it’s not sustainable. It’s also much less effective…remaining objective is difficult, and you get stuck inside of your own head. Teaming with someone else gives you the opportunity to divide the workload and combine the strengths of your group while mitigating the weaknesses.

It’s all about dynamics and synergy.

Spend time finding the right people to work with and test the waters to see how you mesh. If you vibe well, then make something happen…create something. Not every project has to be a home run.

Guest Posts/Features

This week has been an awesome one for PR. Looking from the outside in, you’d think that I hit a string of luck, but the truth is that these stories are a result of months of networking and relationship building…proof that hard work, over time, pays off.

Psychology Today

I got a big boost from Chris Guillebeau for this one and I can’t say often enough how awesome Chris has been to me over the past 2 years. He’s been a great friend and mentor, and the fact that he thought of me for this one is testament that he thinks in terms of “expanding the pie,” rather than competitive terms.

The article, Life Uncharted, is in the January edition of Psychology Today, on page 57. It features Chris and his journey, but also lists Matthew Cook, Brooke Thomas, myself, Crystal Williams, Adam Baker, and Sloane Berent.

I’m super excited about this one, as I’ve never appeared in print, especially with such a great crowd of game changers.

Entrepreneur

This week I was also fortunate enough to have a great interview with blogger and journalist Carol Tice, from The Writing Mom’s Blog and Entrepreneur.com. We had a great talk, and I’m looking forward to the piece.

In the meantime though, she featured Beyond Blogging as one of the top business books for 2010 on the Entrepreneur.com blog, which was an unexpected bonus to an already great week.

Copyblogger

Lastly, the most effective piece I’ve had published this week was on Copyblogger, on the day of their 4th birthday (pretty cool!). The piece was titled Your Dream is Under Attack and was a rallying cry to all entrepreneurs wishing to make a living online. To date, there are nearly 200 comments, all of which inspired some great discussion on the free vs premium content debate.

What’s amazing about this piece, is that I almost kept it unpublished, yet it’s been the most popular guest post I’ve ever written. So, when in doubt, go with your gut and rely on instict…more than often you’ll be right.

1 Week Down

We’re already moving into week 2 of 2010. Have you begun implementing your plans for domination? Don’t be afraid to raise the stakes and go all in. If you’re comfortable, then you aren’t trying hard enough.

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Also, please leave a comment and click that cool RT button. Thanks!

http://twitter.com/nhangen/status/7573505868 Nathan Hangen

#Webrepreneur Saturday Project Update – Endgame, JV’s, and Going All In: Lately I've been thinking.. http://bit.ly/5AjCvY
http://www.RichLazzara.com Rich Lazzara

Congratulations on all, you deserve it. I for one know how hard you work on all of it. looking forward to working together.
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

Thanks man…can't wait to reveal the goods on what's up next
http://website-in-a-weekend.net/ Dave Doolin

You got me right at the beginning: blogging doesn't scale. I see it as a door, or a foundation, a way to learn how to acquire my business chops… on the road to learning how to make *real* money.

Now to read the rest of the article…

From experience, I feel the more successful you are going solo, the more success you will have in a JV or other jointly owned or operated venture. I have many stories. Which is why I'm flying solo for now.

I started taking this whole project seriously about 7 months ago, and I think I've turned a corner on it. Definitely past that 6 month low.

Thanks for all the encouraging writing. It helps keep me motivated.
http://twitter.com/remarkablogger/status/7583802294 remarkablogger

RT @tweetmeme Saturday Project Update – Endgame, JV's, and Going All In | Nathan Hangen http://ow.ly/1mQ7yv
Nathan Hangen

#Webrepreneur Saturday Project Update – Endgame, JV’s, and Going All In: Lately I've been thinking.. http://bit.ly/5AjCvY
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

Dave, it's easy to get trapped in the cycle of blogging, reblogging, and blogging some more. In the end, you end up chained to a platform that keeps you from progressing. I'm glad you haven't fallen into that one.

Developing solo skills is great, but in my experience, the learning curve is much higher. I just happen to like the synergy of JV's.
http://twitter.com/nhangen/status/7585153655 Nathan Hangen

I'm thinking endgame, what about you? http://bit.ly/92FbxC
http://twitter.com/remarkablogger/status/7585173661 remarkablogger

RT @nhangen: I'm thinking endgame, what about you? http://bit.ly/92FbxC
http://twitter.com/erinsartjournal/status/7585728149 Erin Richardson

@nhangen Beautiful blog, great post and congrats on all you've achieved to date! http://bit.ly/92FbxC
http://www.jrgriggs.net JR Griggs

Definitely always looking for the “next thing”. Who knows what blogging will be in 10 years or even 5. But I know that if I am always moving I won't be that guy digging for gold in last year's gold mine. And of course surrounding myself with “movers” instead of “squatters” helps keep me working on the next thing.
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

That's a great point JR…the people you surround yourself with make a big difference.
http://twitter.com/johnluffa/status/7597580931 John Lufadeju

Reading @nhangen Saturday Project Update on JV – Teaming up with a buddy can prove very productive. http://viigo.im/21YG
http://olegmokhov.com/ Oleg Mokhov

Boom *dsh* bo-boom boom *dsh*

Yo yo yo, check it:

Nathan Hangen, makin' it happen /
Droppin tha bomb, gettin' along/
With Copyblogger and Chris Guillebeau /
The NH man, he's makin' it flow /
Beyond Blogging's making the change /
High-profile guest posts expanding his range /
Spreading his influence, building his dream /
Mr. Nathan Hangen, here's to joinin' your team!

Yeeeeeah.

Alright, my lame attempt at digital-rapping is done.

Congrats on your Beyond Blogging and your website's success. You deserve all the rewards – like you said, you're proof that hard and smart work pays off.

That Copyblogger guest post is crazy. Just pure awesome.

Thanks for continuing to be a source of inspiration, encouragement, and motivation. 2010 is going to be game-changing.

Keep rockin',
Oleg
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

I love it Oleg…you've got more talent in the rap department than I do

The problem with successful guest posts is that it's hard to live up to that standard on the next.
http://www.meandyourhouse.com Deren Monday

Nathan:

Congrats on the positive week of PR. Seems like your months spent on Beyond Blogging are paying off.

Got my first client today after weeks of building my site and contacting others. Small client, but I can't tell you how great it feels. Here's to making 2010 life-changing for your entire community!
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

First client, awesome! That's just a stepping stone for what's to come.
http://www.writingforward.com/ Melissa Donovan

I like your innovative spirit. It sounds like it's already taking you places, which is awesome.

Blogging is definitely a stepping stone. However, I don't think we've seen all that blogs can do. Maybe in 2010, we'll see blogs used in fresh ways.
http://www.writingforward.com/ Melissa Donovan

I like your innovative spirit. It sounds like it's already taking you places, which is awesome.

Blogging is definitely a stepping stone. However, I don't think we've seen all that blogs can do. Maybe in 2010, we'll see blogs used in fresh ways.
http://nathanhangen.com/blog/case-study-sell-passion/ Case Study – 5 Ways to Sell Your Passion | Nathan Hangen

[...] hyping you up and motivating you to raise your game. We’ve talked about thinking long-term, JV’s, innovating, and how it sucks to be the little [...]