What Do You Think, Is This Any Good? Your Advice Needed, Please

[Rezbi]

Hey everyone,

What started out as a short article turned into a short report.

Basically, it's me giving myself a kick up the backside to get going... and then I thought, why not make it into a report I can give away to visitors to my blog.

The only thing is, I'm very picky about what I sell or give away as I want it to be valuable to anyone who reads it.

So, I figure, who better to ask than you guys on the WF as to whether or not you think there is any value to be had from this report.

With that in mind, I'd appreciate it if you would please download it, take a quick butchers at it, and let me know what you think.

Be blunt... be brutal.

Heh, as if I need to ask.

Anyway, here's the link:
http://directanddigitalmarketing.com...oductivity.pdf

That's a direct download link so you don't need to sign up.

Thanks.

Edit: I took some advice from Exire and made a couple of changes.

[Rezbi]

70+ views and not one comment.

At least just tell me if you think it's rubbish.

[TMG Enterprises]

I like it. I think this is good advice for newbies but also many of us who have been doing this IM thing for a while. I love the expression you used in the second sentence, about aiming for the sky when you can't see the roof. I hadn't heard that one before but it's very apt.

At the end, you mention doing an expanded version - I would like to see that when you complete it. At heart, I know all this stuff but sometimes reading it kind of reminds me of what I should be doing.

Tina

[jcoolbaugh]

Excellent report, Rez (and you know I'm not gonna go easy on you, lol).

I especially love the part about Healthy Body, Healthy Mind. That was one of my biggest failings until I bought a treadmill a couple months ago and parked it right behind my desk. Now I can use dragon while walking, and kill two proverbial birds with one stone.

Really great stuff, my friend

[Rezbi]

Thank you both, Tina and Jess, I was beginning to think no one cares and was about to wallow in self pity. (if you only knew how true that is )

I appreciate the feedback and I'll make sure to let you know once the next report is done.

I think there will be quite a few.

It does help to know it's useful.

[Rezbi]

Originally Posted by jcoolbaugh

Now I can use dragon while walking, and kill two proverbial birds with one stone.

Really great stuff, my friend

That's a good idea.

I could never get the hang of dragon, even though I know it would be ideal for someone like me who needs to say things out loud before writing it.

[CDarklock]

Originally Posted by Rezbi

70+ views and not one comment.

At least just tell me if you think it's rubbish.

Hey, Rezbi.

It's a good report. I'm just not sure I'd be happy with it if I paid for it - good information, but it doesn't seem to add much of anything special. I'd try to fill it out a bit, add some more useful information, that sort of thing.

I'll PM you some more non-public stuff.

[Exire]

I've been lurking at the forum off and on for a couple of years now and I've finally decided to be more active, so here's my inaugural post. Hope it's not too brutal.

First of all, I have to echo TMG Enterprises and say that I, too, loved the line about aiming for the sky when you can't even see the roof. Great line.

Now, on to the critiques. Overall I thought it was well written and on target. However, the first thing that jumped out at me was this sentence: "The reason for this, first, report is that too many people are trying to start businesses, online or offline, but have no idea how to manage themselves, let alone a business." There's probably nothing actually wrong with it but I stumbled over the "first" for some reason. To me the sentence just sounds "off" and I feel it would read better if it were rephrased a bit. Something like, "The reason for this first report, of many to come, is that too many people are trying to start businesses, online or off, but have no idea how to manage themselves, let alone a business." Again, this is just personal preference and the sentence seems to read more smoothly to me without the "first" separated by the commas which just killed the flow. Then again, maybe I'm just being nit-picky.

The second critique I had was that the title is "How to Manage YOURSELF" yet you don't actually say how to manage myself and I didn't find out you wouldn't be telling me how until the very end where you offer an expanded report with that information. While there's some good advice throughout the report I was expecting more detailed information from something with "How To" in the title. I'd suggest a quick retitle or adding one short tip to each section.

Other than those two issues I thought it was quite good. I hope that wasn't too blunt or critical.

[Rezbi]

Originally Posted by CDarklock

Hey, Rezbi.

I'll PM you some more non-public stuff.

Got your PM and replied.

Thanks. Much appreciated.

Originally Posted by Exire

To me the sentence just sounds "off" and I feel it would read better if it were rephrased a bit. Something like, "The reason for this first report, of many to come, is that too many people are trying to start businesses, online or off, but have no idea how to manage themselves, let alone a business."

The second critique I had was that the title is "How to Manage YOURSELF" yet you don't actually say how to manage myself and I didn't find out you wouldn't be telling me how until the very end where you offer an expanded report with that information. While there's some good advice throughout the report I was expecting more detailed information from something with "How To" in the title. I'd suggest a quick retitle or adding one short tip to each section.

No problem with critiques and I appreciate it.

That first part did occur to me and I had an idea someone might pick up on it.

As with the title, I also agree there.

Truth is, I just wanted to get something down for myself and this is more an outline of what I intend to do in future reports.

What I'm basically planning to do is write a whole bunch of reports/tutorials of the type of stuff I would have liked to teach to my students in high school business class, but couldn't because it wasn't part fo the syllabus.

Also, it wasn't academic.

Ho, hum.

[Manda]

Hi Rezbi,

I too liked the report and particularly the line about aiming for the sky when you can't see the roof.

I have to agree with @CDarklock and @Exire in that I was expecting a little more content going by the title. Maybe you could give one specific how to in each of your five areas and then say something like "for more great tips on how to use these ideas in your day to day life see the expanded "How to Manage YOURSELF" report at...."

Also there is a word missing in this sentence on pg 4 "it's how the government allocates the money they steal off you and me to fund their lifestyles."

All the best with your project.

Manda

[Rezbi]

Originally Posted by Manda

Hi Rezbi,

I too liked the report and particularly the line about aiming for the sky when you can't see the roof.

I have to agree with @CDarklock and @Exire in that I was expecting a little more content going by the title. Maybe you could give one specific how to in each of your five areas and then say something like "for more great tips on how to use these ideas in your day to day life see the expanded "How to Manage YOURSELF" report at...."

Also there is a word missing in this sentence on pg 4 "it's how the government allocates the money they steal off you and me to fund their lifestyles."

All the best with your project.

Manda

Hey Manda,

Thanks for the comments and picking up the errors.

I've made a couple of changes, particularly the first paragraph which should clarify things a little more.