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Ian Shepherd

Four Ways to Reinvent Your Life and Business (with an iPod)

Image by Dennis Jarvis

Three years ago… I was trapped in a job I no longer loved, struggling to get by on a wage that could no longer support my family. With hindsight, I think I was on the verge of becoming clinically depressed.

Two years ago… everything had changed. I was running my own company and financially stable.  But now I was stressed out of my mind, working every hour of the day on projects that that still weren’t where my true passion lies – and with no idea where the next job was coming from.

Just one year ago… even that work had dried up – I’d done almost nothing chargeable for months, and was starting to wonder if it was all a horrible mistake.

But I had a plan.

And plenty of hope.

Today it looks as if my hopes were justified, and the plan is working. I’m generating a healthy income from the Production Advice website I started over four years ago, I’m being well-paid for doing the work I really love, and I’m getting more and more enquiries every day.

And I owe it all to my iPod Touch.

No, really! Here’s why. And some suggestions for using pocket-sized technology, such as an iPod or smartphone, to reinvent your life or business…

Who am I?

I’m a Mastering Engineer. Which means, I take people’s music and prepare the final masters before release, and make the music sound the best it can be as part of the process.

But three years ago, I’d almost completely lost sight of that side of my career.

Somewhere along the way, the interesting side-project of setting up new CD-ROM and DVD authoring services for my employers had become all I ever did. And by the winter of 2009, it was a dead weight around my neck.

I didn’t know it at the time, but the company I’d worked for for over 15 years was sinking fast, and as the work dried up things became more and more polarised – I was stuck with the cookie-cutter corporate DVD work, while my colleagues scrabbled for the remaining music and audio crumbs.

Personal conflicts with the management finally brought things to a head, and I decided I had to leave. But how ?

Strangely enough, my iPod Touch provided the answer.

I’d already started my first blog a couple of years earlier, inspired by a post on Mark’s Wishful Thinking site, in fact. I soon got interested in the art of writing headlines that would draw readers to my posts, and somewhere along the way I signed up to Twitter – also at Mark’s suggestion. But it wasn’t till the iPod arrived that everything started to click.

Here are four crucial ways I’ve used it to build my new business and change my life for the better – and how you could use the same principles in your life and business.

1. Make valuable connections

I got the iPod Touch for the sexy new interface, for the web browser and of course for listening to music – but to my surprise, the thing I really ended up using most for was Twitter.

I’d never expected an iPod to be a communications device, but that’s exactly what it was. The ability to read and post anywhere – in an armchair, while eating breakfast, waiting for masters to run at work – without being stuck in front of a desk – transformed the way I used the new service, and that eventually transformed my life.

Through Twitter I discovered new sites like Copyblogger and Lateral Action. It would be so cool, I daydreamed, if I could make money from my website in the way they did – but, I thought, I was in completely the wrong field… (I was wrong !).

It was more than just casual contacts I made, though – the great thing about social networking is that anyone can talk to anyone, if they like.

I set up Dynamic Range Day in 2010, after reading blog posts by Derek Sivers and Seth Godin – both of whom I discovered through Twitter (of course). But when I announced the second event the following year, it was the managing director of Solid State Logic who contacted me via Twitter to offer support. In fact, they donated a mixing desk worth thousands of pounds as the first prize in a competition to help publicise it and we’ve never looked back.

I’ve been invited to write for magazines and do interviews via Twitter, and I meet new clients. Bizarrely, I even ended up in an Imogen Heap music video. 

And most recently I’ve started running a regular live “Q&A” session answering people’s questions about mastering, using the #masteringQT hashtag. Every time I do it, a flurry of new enquiries always follows. The beauty of this strategy is that it’s simple and free – you could try it in your area of expertise.

Takeaway: Connecting and sharing via social media is far more than a simple distraction – never underestimate the opportunity it offers you, especially in a hand-held device that lets you reach the world wherever you are.

2. Listen and learn

If you’ve tried setting up on your own, or making your own art you’ll already how much there is to learn and how little time there is to learn it. Especially by reading. The iPod can help you overcome this challenge.

I’ve always been good at mentally processing audio, including speech as well as music. So while I don’t have time to sit down and read much these days, I listen to books constantly – while I Photoshop, while I cook, while I drive, walk the dog…

Not just books, either. The Third Tribe website has been an important part of building my online business, and all their teaching materials are all available in downloadable audio form.

Plus podcasts ! Seth Godin’s Startup School, Jonathan Fields’ Good Life Project, Internet Marketing for Smart People and more…

And of course there are great apps on the iPod for reading and research too – the Kindle and iBook apps but more importantly the wonderful Instapaper, creating an instant archive of useful and interesting articles, saved for offline reading with a single finger-tap.

Takeaway: Figure out how you learn best – text, audio or video – and take advantage of 21st Century tech to use that method – when it fits best into your schedule.

3. Spark your imagination

They say all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, and it’s true. Mark is right – a key element to creating great work is being open to a wide range of inspiring influences. Luckily the iPod can provide that, too.

In fact I almost get more entertainment and inspiration than I can handle, from a combination of social media, blog posts and radio shows like Front Row or the Infinite Monkey Cage. Spotify feeds my desire for new music, or I can listen to iPlayer Radio. There’s even an app for Brian Eno’s Oblique Strategies!

Best of all is a superb free application called Flipboard. It pulls all kinds of information together in an easy-to-use, great-looking interface – magazines, newspapers, Google Reader and Twitter, all jumbled up into a fascinating, personalised flow of information.

Takeaway: Be open to serendipity and new ideas. Allow a little time every day for simply playing with your expensive, geeky toys – look for connections and take note of the good stuff you find.

4. Make things on the move

You might think an iPod is too small to use for actually doing work on – but you’d be wrong.

The key weapon in my own arsenal is a mind-mapping app called iThoughts HD – I use it to brainstorm, plan blog posts, structure courses and plan new products. The touch-screen interface is perfect for mind-mapping, I actually prefer to use it this way than on a desktop with a mouse !

Another workhorse is Evernote – a kind of auto-syncing notepad on steroids, which stops you ever forgoting a great idea, and even allows you to do some quick writing work, at a pinch.

Crucially, both these apps automatically sync via the cloud, meaning everything is always up-to-date, even when moving from one device to another.

Takeaway: Even a device you can keep in your pocket can be used for serious on-the-go productivity.

Last night an iPod changed my life

So why did I write this post ?

There’s a quote doing the rounds on Twitter in the last week that goes something like this:

Imagine talking to someone form the 1950s. How would they react if you told them you had a device in your pocket that could instantly connect you with almost anyone, and access the sum total of all human knowledge ? But that you use it to look at pictures of cats, and argue with people you don’t know ?

I bought my first iPod Touch using money my grandfather left me when he died – and I don’t think my parents really approved of that choice. But the truth is that without it, I might not be where I am today. This tiny little device has been both a tool and a catalyst for the move into a whole new life for me and my family – and that they really do approve of, I’m sure. And I know my grandfather would have, too.

The same could be true for you.

If you’re stuck in a dead-end job, or struggling with a new venture you’re trying to get off the ground, or just need some fun, new connections and inspiration – maybe all you need to do is get an iPod!

I’m joking. Of course it doesn’t really have to be an Apple device – any modern smart-phone can do everything I’ve mentioned in this post, these days.

When I first got into blogging and Twitter I was convinced I was too late, that I’d missed the boat, that it was all over… but it’s still only just beginning. We’re right at the start of  a modern equivalent of the industrial revolution, or the invention of the printing press – and devices like the iPod are just the tip of the iceberg.

An iceberg we can hold in the palm of our hand.

Use it – start connecting, now.

Over to you

How are you using an iPod or smartphone as a creative or business tool?

Do you find it a benefit, or yet another distraction?

Have you made any powerful or inspiring connections via social media?

About the author: Ian Shepherd is a mastering engineer, Blu-ray/DVD author and musician. He runs Mastering Media, dedicated to making things look and sound great, and the Production Advice website where he helps people unlock the potential of their music. He is passionately opposed to the so-called CD ‘Loudness Wars’, and in 2010 founded Dynamic Range Day to help raise awareness of the issue.

Categories: Creative Entrepreneurship Creative Thinking Lifestyle Design Success The Lateral Action Blog
Ian Shepherd:

View Comments (28)

  • Ian, I was truly inspired by your blog post. Indeed, the iPod (or iPhone or iPad or other mobile device) is a powerful media consumption AND creation device! There are many mind mapping apps for the iPhone and iPad available today, plus a growing number of apps that provide stimuli for ideation and creative problem solving. Some of these include Roger von Oech's Whack Pack (http://www.creativethink.com/), the terrific oFlow app (http://oflowapp.com/) from Tanner Christian and IDEO's Method Cards.

    Like you, I use Evernote as a powerful, portable idea capture device - often in tandem with Dragon Dictate so I don't have to type my idea into the app. I have written many blog posts using these apps, and last year I used them to create an entire book (http://upyourimpact.com) on my iPhone.

    Plus, of course, I use apps for each major social media channel to keep tabs on key topics in which I'm interested, to favorite, plus one or retweet other peoples' excellent ideas and to contribute my own thoughts to my readers.

    In short, my iPhone is an indispensable part of my creativity and productivity!

    • Thanks Chuck, glad you liked the post ! I experimented with Dragon too (at Mark's suggestion, again!) but it doesn't quite work for me personally. Looking forward to checking out those links...

  • the i-devices have brought true mobility as they allow us to look up data on the fly for decision making when away from the computer - no longer have to look at a map before we leave the house and can check if a storm is going to pass, or last all day - not to mention, remotely keeping up with work.

    But one of the best uses I've found that I'd like to share is similar to your points 2 and 3. My smartphone allows me to watch TED talks while on the treadmill so I can exercise my mind and body at the same time - I highly recommend this combination its always inspiring.

    • Thanks David, I couldn't agree more - TED talks are fantastic. One of the hardest things about writing this post was deciding all the things to leave out ! The temptation to say "Oh, and this cool thing and this and this..." was very strong !

  • I find the iPhone offers a great 'alternative headspace' to the computer, which is more for producing stuff than networking and reading.

    E.g. I'd never have time to read blogs without the RSS reader on my iPhone. And I'm sure I tweet more from the phone than the Mac.

    Mobile email is a menace though - I've reclaimed my peace of mind since disabling it.

    • Email is a menace full stop, right ?!?

      That's a good point though, I might try turning it off on my iPod for a bit and see what happens.

  • Ian,

    Great post! We're twin sons of different mothers. I'm a music producer and musician like yourself and in a similar situation as you were. I totally agree with the prevailing mentality that all this social networking is "wrong" for musicians or music tech people. And that attitude is only by the uninitiated. I embraced social networking and launched my new blog, Rock and Roll Zen, only a few months back.

    I needed to build my audience from scratch so I took my writing skills and put them to work, looking to guest post for major blogs. I wanted to combine my passion for music, blogging and content marketing and like you, am a big fan of Copyblogger, Lateral Action and folks like Derek Sivers and Seth Godin. I wrote a post for Copyblogger at the end of last year (20 Content Marketing Secrets From The Immortal Jimi Hendrix). It did very well (made their best of 2012 list) and now I'm on great terms with Brian Clark with an open invite to submit posts again for them.

    While the post may have stretched their limits, the comments showed me the power music has to inspire people like no other medium. Combining that with content marketing showed me how powerful the internet is to connect you with people you didn't know before from all over the world who now approach me with both music and writing gigs.

    Really great reminder to musicians why they need to embrace the new world.

    All the best,

    Mark

      • I missed your post first time round, Mark - nice work ! I actually find the volume of content on Copyblogger hard to keep up with these days. Great way to tackle the subject :-)

        • Thanks Ian & Mark,

          I think the world of "creators" (that's all of us, right?) sometimes believe that all this social networking and content marketing stuff is for those other "marketing" folks. Never realizing that we're all marketers to quote His Sethness.

          • Completely agree !

            Although, you still have to make a sales page at the end of it all, and that's still like pulling teeth, as far as I'm concerned...!

          • Ian,

            OK I promise this isn't an affiliate link or shameless plug (hey, I didn't get the money) but I'm right there with you. I can't stand the nuts and bolts of creating the actual tools you need (i.e. a sales page) for your online business. I ended up going with Premise from Copyblogger because I could so easily build landing pages, sales pages, etc. from their templates.

            Here's where I take the stand, 'I just want to create.' Let the HTML and other software creators do their art. When it works and makes my life easier I will happily pay the money.

          • Mark, I totally agree! It's easier for us to make associations, connections, analogies and to see new opportunities for content creation - both in writing and visually (diagrams, mind maps, sketchnotes, etc.).

  • Ian! I absolutely LOVE reading stories like this. To see people rise up is so inspirational. I've become a sort of fanboy of yours lately. I try to really read everything you post, I am in the middle of parsing the information small chunks at a time from the Home Mastering Masterclass, tried most of the plugins you recommend, and just purchased the enhanced Mastering with Multi-band Compression ebook.

    You don't find people so willing to share and give in this industry. I started off with a BA in recording arts and focused mainly on tracking/mixing. But when I turned to a solution that I could offer clients with my nomadic lifestyle, I stumbled upon your site and felt it was necessary to dive head first into the world of mastering. I'm a huge fan of your site, DRD, and your dedication to the music, not the numbers. I hope to someday become really involved with DRD and keep growing as a mastering engineer!

    Thanks!
    Vaughan (@joshuabreed)

    • Thanks Vaughan, really pleased you liked it. People have said they think I'm crazy offering so much information, but I've found it's a win-win. The more I try to help people out, the more opportunities come my way, exactly as Seth and others say !

  • I use my iPad for all the things mentioned here. I often find that I'll have the iPad next to the iMac because some things, like checking Facebook and RSS feeds, are easier on the iPad.

    I also use a stylus with the Goodreader app to mark up PDF page proofs for clients. Could do the same on the Mac with a Wacom tablet, but I feel I don't need that because I have the iPad. I've experimented with the Notability and Moleskine apps for sketching, but that's more for fun than work!

    • I'm the same :-) Facebook on the iPad, Twitter on the iPod, and work on the Mac Pro... Apple fanboy ? Who, me ?!

  • As a music creator I feel like I almost have too many ideas. And when I think about how cool it would be to have a blog, I feel I would never have ANY ideas to post on other than saying: "As I was reading this other blog...". I'd be free marketing for all your guys' blogs tho. Maybe I should just do it then? Ha!

    One thing they never emphasized in school was the business side of music and I just figured I'd just be good at it. I was wrong. There's so much that goes into keeping a steady consistent blog I don't know where to start. Maybe just the beginning. Ha!

    Mark M. I love the idea of turning off email. It's much easier to manage on a computer anyway. Plus it will push me on my lazy days to get on the computer and create something. When I can do everything on my phone, I tend not to go downstairs to power on the Mac mini. I will try this tactic.

    Mark H. Any specific challenges and/or tips to someone wanting to start a blog?

    • Vaughan, I think it's entirely valid to re-post interesting things you find, provided you can add a little value. And that on it's own can be a great way to start blogging. Over time you'll just find "your voice" and the kind of thing your readers like... and you're away !

      I'd say Go For It - the longer you wait, the longer you'll wait...

      (Be aware though - there's a lot of truth in the the idea that blogging is a great way to Get Rich Slowly !)

      One great strategy is to pick something you strongly disagree with, and respectfully disagree !

  • Whack, right in the side of the head. I love a good whack in the head. (Ouch! Not while I'm typing!)

    I use my computer all day, every day. Use it to create and communicate and all kinds of good stuff.

    I use paper and pen a lot. Notes, writing, mind maps, free association.

    I use my expensive iPhone for email.

    How come I'm using a $600 iPhone for email, and a $350 laptop for the rest of my life? Because it has a bigger screen and a better keyboard?

    I gotta come into the new millennium and realize that typing is not the only way to communicate. Nor is reading.

    That, or get a Bluetooth typing glove that's as cool as my Bluetooth headphones.

    Thanks for making me stop, sit up, and take notice, Ian. Stretched my head, you did, and it feels real good.

    • Thanks Joel, that's exactly what I was going for :-) If you love mid-mapping, definitely give iThoughts HD a try - but beware, you may get addicted and end up buying an iPad...!

      Ian

  • Vaughan, I eat WordPress for breakfast, and occasionally afternoon tea. If I can answer any questions I'd be delighted.

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