Month: February 2015

Departures on Netflix

Carl Setzer

Years ago, I fell in love with a Canadian TV travel show, Departures. It’s one of the shows that made me second guess cord-cutting. Beautiful cinematography and hosts with a very unique viewpoint, I can’t recommend Departures enough. A brief summary of the show: hosts Scott Wilson & Justin Lukach along with cinematographer Andre Dupis drop everything and explore the world for a year. That year ends up extending into 3, each with it’s own season. Other travel hosts tend to have some kind of agenda, whether finding the best travel deals, exploring a certain element of a culture, or such. The guys really don’t. They travel to destinations that intrigue them and, in a rather zen-like manner, allow the location and people they meet to guide them. At least that’s how the show comes across. It’s really about human connection.

So imagine my joy when, recently, I popped into Netflix and beheld this glorious site:

I’m very, very happy to see this. Go forth and stream this one with my highest recommendations.

Automating Your Blog? No!

Carl Setzer

Just got an email that promised to “put your blog on autopilot”. Of all the things to automate, pawn off, whatever, with social media, this NOT a solution. EVER! The closest thing I will ever do is suggest a copywriter. However, this is YOUR voice. It’s better to spend a few minutes a day on this than rehash commodity content. Oh, and there are SEO considerations as well.

Personally, I’ve seen blogs that are publishing the same content as others. Occasionally the EXACT same posts. Those sites lose all credibility with me.

One person I know experimented with one of these services. Their blog’s rankings grew rapidly, for a brief time. Then, abruptly, their rankings and page views plummeted. I believe Google sees when you’re pumping out the same content as “everyone else”, and you get banished to SEO hell.

It’s better if you can just do this yourself. Blogging shouldn’t be that deep or time consuming. Share your expertise, your value add, how you see things. Really, that’s it. A copywriter can figure out your voice, your unique take on things, and create relevant and distinctive content. As someone who loves to write, and loves to help people find their place/their audience on the internet, I love to do this for folks. What’s most important is putting forth that unique voice. That’s what distinguishes you from all the others who do the same sort of thing.

Random Thoughts About The Last Week

Carl Setzer
I spent most of last week in Orlando taking part in Keller Williams Family Reunion. Around 15k real estate agents from all over the globe deepening our knowledge and celebrating the unique culture that is KW. It’s an amazing event.
My focus: developing my internet marketing skills. Tons of new ideas, which I’ll flesh out more fully in the coming weeks. Evernote got a lot of use! Digging through all of that will be a continuous review.
Friday, I took what I called a Decompression Day. Focused on organizing my thoughts, mail and desk. And since my son had a half day, I was able to just hang out. I took him and one of his friends to Donut Factory. Lynnwood area friends, this is worth your time. Very tasty with an eclectic blend of flavors. We decided to go again yesterday, too.
Seattle’s weather was dramatically different, but that was great for me. I love Florida, and it’s glorious weather. Seattle, though, is home. The cool morning mists make me content. Once that sense of home is achieved, one’s relationship forever is changed.