I have a secret. I know how to build a reputation and get known for what I do. I know how to make sure people call me when they need iPhone development or want to know more about Social Media or have entrepreneurship questions. I’d be lying if I said there is just one thing you need to do. You have to build relationship and there are several things you can do to build better relationships with people.

However, one of them is so simple. And almost no one does it! Follow up with people when you meet them.

My company hosted a conference on iPhone and mobile development this weekend. We had a great group of people show up, and I was able to meet many new people and reconnect with many others. If you’ve never run a big event, it is exhausting, but later that night, I set aside an hour to follow up. I emailed almost everyone that I talked with at the camp, and It was almost 30 people. The email was personal to each person and mentioned something we talked about. I also sent a LinkedIn invite and Twitter follow to almost all of those people. By following up, I guarantee you will make a better impression, and by connecting on your Social Media sites of choice, you keep the relationship alive for the future.

So that is my secret. It works! It does take some time and it can be easy to not do it. However, it may just be the best hour you’ve spent when it comes to ROI. So get off you butt and do it today and let me know how it works for you.

Earlier this year, I quit my job. I wish I could say I had a fool proof plan, but I did not. I had started a business with a partner but we weren’t to the point where it would support us yet.

The truth is that I knew I was in the wrong job with a bad company, and I was very passionate and very excited about my new startup creating iPhone applications. I also found several new passions. I love meeting new people, dreaming up new ideas, and being involved with social media. All of these passions have really helped me with my business.

Another truth is that it is extremely hard starting a business. It can be long hours where you have almost no free time. It is scary and sometimes overwhelming. It is full of amazing highs, but it can be hugely frustrating. It is exhausting. Somewhere along the way you can forgot why you are doing all of this.

I really believe you have to rediscover your passions. Here are several ways to do just that.

1. Get your mind off your work. It may only be for an hour or two, but do something you love that makes you forget about the stress and worries. For me, playing basketball has always been this kind of release.

2. Find someone to confide in. Find someone else starting a business and vent to each other.

3. Spend time doing what you love. You did this for a reason and you love some of what you do. Hopefully a lot of what you do. Spend some time doing those things that are your favorite.

4. Make a little money. Sorry to break it to you but making money and building a safety net takes some of the frustration away.

5. Have a purpose. Notice that I didn’t say goal. Having a larger purpose to what you do really helps.

So get back out there and find your passions again. Oh yeah, let me know how you did it so I can learn some new tricks.

I have two reasons for beginning to blog again. First, I like having a place to share my thoughts, frustrations, passions, rants, and anything else that strikes me as worth sharing. Second, I think it is important to create content. I spend a good deal using social media and I realized that the one thing I wasn’t doing was creating content.

I hope to put some thought provoking and dare I say, interesting content on this blog. At least those are my goals. Wish me luck!