I’m not sure if Chris Brogan remembers how I was able to get his attention, a few years (WOW) ago.

Actually, it wasn’t me that got his attention; it was @FranchiseDog (who walked across almost a year ago the Rainbow Bridge).

Back to Chris. Not only does Chris help keep social media alive and kicking, he’s a good man.

He’s also one heck of a wordsmith.

“Focus isn’t easy. In fact, very little that’s worth anything is easy. Focus is so hard it makes you ache all over. But I will tell you this from the very bottom of my heart: my life gets better with every sweep of the broom and with every discarding of bad thoughts, excessive ideas, useless and painful emotions, and every random impulse that I used to follow blindly. The people in my life have commented positively on the changes my effort to focus have brought about, and I am bringing as much value to you as I can in 2012 (and beyond) based on how well I learn to focus.”

Read his recent post on focus. It will help you do just that.

Chris is a best-selling author, too. If you’ve never read Trust Agents, who he co-wrote with Julien Smith, add it to your holiday list.

I’ve always been pretty transparent; Chris has shown me that it’s okay to do so, even in business. At first, I hesitated a bit; I thought that it was crazy to share the specific techniques I use when I work with people who are interested in exploring opportunities in franchise business ownership. I’ve always been one to keep those types of things under my hat, for fear that my competitors would steal them.

But, I don’t have any competitors. (Chris taught me that, too). Now, I’ll admit that once in awhile I get pretty aggravated when my content is scraped. Recently, a gentleman who provides services that are pretty similar to mine, spent $47 of his own money to buy this. I thought that it was a bit strange, and forgot about it.

Two months later, I receive a Google alert, (combined with a email from a good friend of mine in franchising) pointing me to a “new” franchise eBook. Yep; this guy bought my eBook so he could use it as a guide to produce his own. I remember Tweeting about it, and I was pissed. Chris even shot back on Twitter, suggesting that I chill out. After a day or so, I did. But first I called the guy, and told him in no uncertain terms that if he scraped anything from my eBook, my attorney would be getting involved.

In hindsight, I now know that I wasn’t following what Chris teaches. He feels that there’s enough business around for all of us, and that if we just do good work, things will turn out just fine. I also remember a one hour phone call that I had with Liz Strauss . When she suggested that I do what Chris does, and, “Put everything I do out there…the step by step-specifics of how I work with franchise buyer’s, etc.” She then added that “My business would change.” She also said that my supposed, “competitors” were probably too lazy to use all the techniques that I use, and that, “Joel is Joel.” In other words, I have my own unique style. I have my own unique way of looking at things. There’s no one like me.

Google+ and Chris Brogan’s New Book

Let’s do some controversy. Okay?

So, Chris decides to hunker down for two weeks and learn all he can about Google+. He locks himself in his secret igloo at an undisclosed location. No one bothers him. No one human, that is.

Click Here For Images &
Igloo Pictures – Pictures

Chris learns. And learns. He knows that the folks at Google will eventually open their new social networking platform up to businesses. Chris isn’t sure exactly how they’re going to do it, but he knows it’s coming.

He learns enough, (more than enough, actually) to put together several “how to” blog posts so that whoever wants to learn how to set up a Google+ account properly, can do so. His blog posts on how to set-up and optimize Google+ are wildly successful, and very, very, helpful.

Then Chris decides to offer a webinar for small business owners on;

Google+ for Business

 (Aff link)

And, he gets crap for it.

Here’s a guy who takes the time…lots of time,  to learn Google+. Then he has the nerve to charge people for his expertise. Crazy.

“But Joel, Chris put on his webinar before Google+ even rolled out it’s business pages.” And?

I happen to think that offering his non-free webinar was a great business decision. Not only did Chris make some profit for his efforts, he got a book deal.

Chris recently finished his book on Google+. (I think it’s done!) I wonder how many people that have been bitching about Chris’s webinar have book deals.

I’ve made some really good friends, and wouldn’t have as many if it wasn’t for social media. It’s enabled me to meet people from all over the world. It’s brought me some success. (I’m just warming up) Chris, and others in the social media sphere…the ones that are on the speaking circuit, the ones who are consulting with businesses, big and small, are helping lots of us to keep our lights on during this period of economic uncertainty.

Thanks for everything you do, Chris. And, as I’ve told you on more than one occasion, I wish my Dad could have met you. He would have really, really, liked you.