Retirement Life Archives – Unretirement Project

Is It Safe to Use Social Media for Marketing in Unretirement

April 11, 2018 by Keith Lauby 2 Comments

By now, we’ve all seen the articles about Facebook and their use of user information. It has caused a number of users to delete their accounts. Some brands are doing the same. So, I thought it would be a good time to talk briefly about online privacy and social media.

Over the years, social media has become an integral part of our lives. We engage with family and friends on Facebook or our business associates on LinkedIn. Or we monitor trending stories and its entertaining commentary on Twitter. The question people are asking – is our information safe?

Recently, I wrote about using Facebook to help with marketing in unretirement. For years, I’ve used Facebook for my marketing and I will continue to do so, simply because there are more advantages than disadvantages – as long as you’re smart about it.

First of all, know and understand your privacy settings. Every social media site has them. I recommend spending some dedicated time getting to know how every type of social post is handled. Can everyone see it? Only friends? With Facebook, you can start by seeing how others view your page. Click on your profile and, in the bottom right corner of your cover image there are three dots – that’s an extended menu. Click on it and select “View as . . . “.

The difference may be subtle, but you will notice a prompt to send yourself a friend request and an “Add Friend” button. You’re on the right page! From here, carefully read over your Intro box. Does it have the right information? Is it sharing information you don’t want to share here? Any changes in your information can be made using the “About” tab (be sure to quickly click on your profile again first to get back to interacting as you). You should select each heading listed on the left side of your profile and make any edits in the field as needed.

After you confirm your information is correct, it’s time to focus on your privacy settings. On the far right at the top of your Facebook page is a down arrow. Click that and select “Settings” from the drop-down menu. Select “Privacy” on the left to confirm your settings and edit them as needed. After that, select Timeline and Tagging on the left. That will give you a breakdown of your posting types and who can see them. From here, you can select “Edit” for each type of Facebook action and select who can see them from the drop-down menu.

Every social platform has their own version of a privacy setup. Get to know them! In fact, it’s a good idea to schedule an annual social media audit because sites tend to fine-tune their settings over time.

Social media is, and will continue to be, a major force in shaping our communities and culture. It offers vast opportunities! So, don’t be afraid to take advantage of everything it has to offer. Be smart and be aware. And, above all, be safe. It’s really not that hard to do.

Fitness Matters in Unretirement So Get Creative

March 21, 2018 by Keith Lauby Leave a Comment

Our pursuit of fitness changes over time. It’s not that we stop pursuing it – we can’t. But rather, how we do it and the tools we use to get there evolves as we age. And when you work for yourself, you may have to get creative where your fitness is concerned.

Please understand, I’m not a medical or fitness professional. But I am a business pro who is always looking for ways to keep healthy and fit. Ways that align with a hectic schedule. When I worked in corporate offices, some of my daily activity was walking to meetings, warehouses, and a variety of other workplaces. Now that I work in a home office, I’m looking for a different solution to help me keep active.

After reading that the Deskcise Pro from FlexiSpot won a 2018 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Innovation Award, I jumped at the chance to give it a test drive. The Deskcise Pro combines a standing desk and exercise bike in one compact piece of equipment. It has a very small footprint, so it doesn’t get in the way in my small office and it easily rolls wherever I want it. But don’t worry, it won’t roll around as you’re using it because it has an innovative feature that locks the wheels when you’re pedaling.

I’ve always believed that accessibility was the key to consistent use of any exercise equipment. It becomes even more important as we age. After waking up one morning with a stiff neck, I just used a spring lever on the Deskcise Pro to raise up the desk so it’s a little more comfortable to read on my laptop. You can also move the desktop a little closer just as easily. When my legs a little sore from too much yardwork, a dial on the Deskcise Pro main console lets me dial in just the right amount of resistance. And a screen allows me to track speed, distance, calories, odometer and revolutions per minute (RPMs).

Even if you don’t want to pedal, you can still be active. A spring lever adjustment can quickly convert your bike into a standing desk. Let’s face it, you I won’t have an excuse not to keep active anymore! And that’s important to me when I’m working from a home office.

Working in unretirement can bring a few challenges and fitness can be one of them. If you’re looking to keep up your activity in a home office, but don’t want to invest in a lot of different equipment or lose work time at the gym, consider checking out the Deskcise Pro. It’s a simple but creative solution that offers a lot of flexibility.

Your 5-Day Plan to Using Facebook In Your Unretirement

March 7, 2018 by Keith Lauby 3 Comments

Social media isn’t a fad. It’s a daily part of our lives. According to Pew Research, seventy percent of Americans use social media with thirty seven percent of them age 65+. So, whether you’re using social media to market your blog or communicate with friends, it’s important to know how to use it well in your encore career.

That’s why I thought it might be helpful to run a series about social media. Think of it as a mini-learning plan. We’ll take a short look at using popular social platforms, but from the viewpoint as part of a marketing engine. The marketing engine, of course, will help drive your unretirement efforts whether it’s through blogging or other types of content promotion. Social platforms can help you showcase your interests and skills, learn about new opportunities, and discover trends you can leverage.

Our first installment is about Facebook. Of all the platforms, I believe Facebook is where most of us already have accounts. According to Pew Research, 72 percent of the American adult population has a Facebook account which they visit at least once a month. Globally, the number is 38.6 percent. The challenge is getting comfortable using a platform for business that we may have exclusively used for personal connections.

What is Facebook?

Okay, you probably already know them, but Facebook is a social networking site that allows you to connect with brands, organizations, family and friends. As of their last earnings report, Facebook broke the 2 billion monthly active user mark. It’s the first social platform to reach that level of popularity.

You Have a Facebook Account, Right?

In case you don’t have an account, Facebook is free. You can learn how to sign up using their help page.

Your 5-Day Plan to Learning Facebook

If you don’t have an account, all of these activities will be new to you. If you do have an account, ask yourself, “How many of these have a done?”

DAY 1 – Post one piece of business news that interests you. Maybe it’s a blog post about leadership, an update about the gig economy, or something about what’s happening in your preferred industry.

DAY 2 – Like a group related to your interests. It can be a professional association that aligns with your unretirement goals. Gig economy sites like Wag! (dog walking on demand) or Helpr for babysitters have thriving Facebook pages.

DAY 3 – Like a business brand page. My guess is at least one of the vendors you currently do business with is on Facebook. Or look for a business you just enjoy. For example, I follow Consumer Reports to help me make informed purchases and Disney because I love their products.

DAY 4 – Like a government agency that pertains to your work. I’ve connected with my local city government – they publish a weekly informational newsletter and announce jobs and purchase requisitions. Facebook Townhall can also help you connect with your elected representatives.

DAY 5 – Get comfortable with notifications. At this point, it’s been about collecting information. If you feel comfortable, take a little time to review your feed to make sure are hearing from the people you really want to hear from. Keep in mind, that could include people or brands.

The easiest way to turn on notifications is by clicking on the three dots next to every status update. That will bring up a small menu. Look for “Turn on notifications for this post” – you may have to click “more” in the first menu.

BONUS! At some point, you may way to create your own business page. You can read all about it in the Facebook Help Center.

Facebook can be a valuable business tool without disrupting our personal space. I go into Facebook several times every day, so there are business things I just prefer to read on Facebook. And I do enjoy being connected to my friends and colleagues there.

Think about blending a little business and personal on Facebook. You might decide that you like it.

What We Are UP To – February 2018

February 28, 2018 by Sharlyn Lauby 4 Comments

Disclosure: Occasionally we receive free products for review or include advertising links in posts, but no one impacts the honesty of our opinions.

Watching | Black Panther

> We’re big fans of the Marvel Universe, so we’ve been anxiously awaiting the release of Black Panther. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone, so all I’m going to say is … it lives up to all the February hype. Try to find time to see it on the big screen.

Reading | Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife

> Mary Roach is without a doubt one of my favorite authors. I really appreciate the way she explains science in a casual, conversational tone, with just the right amount of dry wit. In this book, Roach dives into the subject of the ghosts, spooks, and the afterlife. What I like most about this book is that she gives the topic the respect it deserves, regardless of your beliefs.

Remembering |Our 1-Year Anniversary

> We started Unretirement Project one year ago in February and we’re so glad we did it. Thank you for reading our articles and sharing your thoughts with us. We’re looking forward to more good times as we continue on our unretirement journey together. ICYMI – This was the first post that launched this blog.

Working On | Growth Matters Network

> I have a new project that I’m working on with SAP Small Business. I’m part of a small group of business professionals who will be having regular conversations about business, marketing, talent, etc. on the Growth Matters Network. The discussions are open to everyone, so if you’re interested join the network and be a part of the conversation.

Feeling | Accomplished

> Keith and I have been downsizing and decluttering little by little over the past few weeks. It’s amazing how one minute we feel like we haven’t made a dent in the project and the next we look around and say “Wow! Look at how much we’ve done!” There’s still a lot to do after February, but we’re getting there. And it feels great to be accomplishing things.

Planning | Lifestyle Journals

> Plum Paper has a new offering that’s caught my attention – lifestyle journals. They focus on meetings, travel, meal planning, budget, and gratitude. All with the beautiful style we’ve come to expect from Plum Paper. I’m very tempted to give one a try.

Loving | Stainless Steel Straws

> A few years ago, I read about using stainless steel straws for beverages. I was a little concerned about whether I would like them in general. And Keith was concerned about cleaning them. But our concerns were unfounded on both fronts. Great for smoothies, easy to clean, and good for the environment!

Geeking |Apple HomePod

> Yep, we did it. Broke down and got ourselves a HomePod. We still have our Amazon Alexa but wanted to give this one a test drive as well. We’re still trying to figure out HomePod’s full capabilities, but I will say that the speakers are noticeably better than Amazon.

What’s UP with you?

8 Things I’ve Learned Writing a Book

February 21, 2018 by Sharlyn Lauby Leave a Comment

I know a lot of people who have writing a book on their bucket list. I was one of those people. I wrote my first book, Essential Meeting Blueprints for Managers, in 2015 and my second, Manager Onboarding: 5 Steps for Setting New Leaders Up for Success, came out in 2016. My third book, The Recruiters Handbook: How to Source, Select, and Engage the Best Talent, is scheduled to be out over the next couple of months.

The reason I’m mentioning this is because writing books is a very interesting experience. After each one, I take some time to think about the writing process. Think of it as a personal debrief. For those of you who have also been thinking about writing a book, here are a few lessons I’ve learned along the way.

Know why you’re doing it. There are many reasons to write books: money, experience, etc. Your reason will help you make decisions about the process – especially when it comes to publishing (i.e. self-publishing versus niche publisher versus big name publishing house). Believe me, there’s a huge learning curve here.

Be open to inquiries. You don’t need a literary agent – unless, of course, you want one. You can get a book deal from an email. If you’re a blogger, keep in mind that publishers might be reading your blog to see if you have book potential. And if you’re not a blogger, but you want to eventually write a book, maybe starting a blog is a good first step.

The process takes longer than you think. There are proposals, research, outlines, writing, revisions, etc. I would say that every book I’ve written takes well over a year from idea to publish. When you commit to a book, it’s a long-term project. You have deadlines. Be prepared for the writing process to be a very big priority in your life.

Find a routine that works for you. And your friends and family. Speaking of long-term projects, one of the best things I do is establish a writing schedule. Keith and I agreed that Saturdays would be “writing day”. This kept me on track and I didn’t feel guilty about locking myself away. Figure out what works best for you so you can meet both your writing and family obligations.

Always ask yourself, “Would I buy this?” It’s great to write a book because you have something to say. It’s another thing all together to get people to buy it. One of the things I really enjoy in my book writing process is the part when reviewers are given my draft for comments. They were asked, “Would you buy this?” I got some terrific feedback which only made the final version stronger.

Editors exist to make the outcome better. If you plan to write a book, get ready for people to critique and edit your work. Looking back, I’m grateful for the writing opportunities I’ve had with publications like Mashable because it allowed me to get used to people editing my work.

While writing a book is a long process and a lot of work, I really do enjoy it. And if presented with the right set of circumstances, I’d probably definitely do it again.

Is writing a book on your unretirement list?

Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby at the 34th Street Graffiti Wall in Gainesville, FL

How to Start a Blog In Your Unretirement

February 14, 2018 by Keith Lauby 2 Comments

Blogging started back in 1994. At that time, they were mostly the work of a single individual about a single subject. In 2017, it’s estimated there are more than 440 million personal and corporate blogs in existence. And they cover far more subjects that we can even begin to imagine.

Blogging can be a very satisfying pastime. Sure, there’s a learning curve – just like there is for everything. But today, it’s easier than ever and there are plenty of resources to help you along the way. Done right, a blog can even be monetized to provide a source of revenue in your unretirement.

If you are considering blogging, there are 5 things I would recommend giving careful thought:

Think about the platform. There are many places to blog. Sites like Google’s Blogger have been around since 1999. In recent years, Tumblr has become extremely popular. This blog (and our first one, HR Bartender) are on a self-hosted WordPress site and it has worked very well. Just do your homework about what platform you want to blog on.
Figure out why you want to blog. Maybe it’s because you have something you want to say. It might be to find clients for your consulting business. Or to directly make a little extra money. But it’s important to know why you’re blogging, because it will drive other decisions along the way.
Never say never. Be open to opportunities as they arise. The reasons you blog may change over time. Just understand how that change impacts other aspects of blogging. For instance, if you just blog for fun, you can immediately publish whatever comes to mind. If you want to monetize, your readers and potential sponsors may have different expectations.
Carefully choose your blog’s name because, no matter why you blog, you will need to market So, develop a name that helps you accomplish your blogging goals (see #2). Just remember, it can be very hard to successfully change your blog’s name and rebrand down the road.
Think about how much time you want to spend. Blogging can sometimes take a lot of work. You might start off slow – maybe once a week. Then put yourself into the shoes of your audience. Knowing what your audience wants is important when deciding how long a post should be or how frequently to publish.

Don’t worry, these considerations aren’t designed to scare you. Taking a little dedicated time on the front end should help eliminate a few frustrations down the road. And, if you’re curious why the list has little to do with writing, it’s because we all have something to say. That part you’ve already taken care of!

Do you have any questions about blogging? Let us know and we’ll try to answer them!

There’s Nothing Wrong With Having a Bucket List

February 7, 2018 by Sharlyn Lauby Leave a Comment

I’ve never seen the movie “The Bucket List” but I do understand the concept. It comes from the term “kicked the bucket.” If for some reason you don’t know, a bucket list is a list of the things we want to do before we die. On some level, a bucket list is a wish list. It’s a list of things we want to experience someday. And as we change as an individual, our bucket list might change as well.

For example: for years, Keith and I wanted to take a repositioning cruise from Alaska through the Panama Canal to the Caribbean. Over the years, we’ve taken shorter cruises to the Caribbean, Panama, and Mexico. Now that we’ve done over half the trip, we’ve decided that if we never go on a repositioning cruise it isn’t a big deal. That doesn’t mean we’ll never take a repositioning cruise, it just means it isn’t on our list.

The reason I’m talking about bucket lists is because, a few weeks ago, I was reading a magazine article and a quote stuck out – “I don’t have a bucket list. If there’s something I want to do, I do it!” And my initial thought was there’s nothing wrong with having a bucket list. We might not be able to drop everything for a bucket list item.

Putting together a bucket list isn’t easy. To me, it’s not a list of “nice to haves” like the latest G.H. Bass & Co Wynn mules in yellow patent leather. That’s just my shoe fetish. A bucket list is a list of experiences that are important to me that I hope to do in my lifetime. The key word being important. And I don’t believe anyone can tell you what to put on your bucket list. Your list is yours and yours alone.

Sometimes we have to save resources to accomplish something. And by resources, I mean both money and time. A bucket list item might include a work sabbatical or maybe it will cost thousands of dollars. There’s nothing wrong with saving to make something on your list happen. That being said, we also might need to be open to opportunities as they present themselves.

We have to think of other people’s bucket lists. Every once in a while, Keith and I talk about our bucket lists. Obviously, they’re not the same. It reminds me that not only do I have my own list, but other people might expect me to participate in theirs. Maybe not for everything, but for some things. IMHO, that’s a tremendous honor and responsibility.

The decision to have (or not have) a bucket list is an individual one. It can be a long list or a short one. There’s nothing wrong with having bucket list, changing it, and sharing it with others. The important thing is to live your life the way you want to.

Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby at the Charlotte Amalie harbor in Saint Thomas, USVI