In this week’s Industry Spotlight I go International. That’s right chaps, the word is out and Mr. Luca is in public demand.

On the day that twitter turns five years old, it’s only fitting that this connection was built using the power of twitter.

Back in 2010 (that’s last year), I came across a lifestyle blogger based in Montreal, Canada. As we all now know, with twitter it is easier than ever before to seek, find and connect with people from all walks of life.

Now here is a tip. Although twitter makes it extremely easy to contact anyone and everyone, remember that everyone else also knows how easy it is to do so. Therefore if you are looking to make contact with someone who may have a large following, use your initiative, with some research, find their email address and send a personal email where you have a much better chance of getting the response you want.

So that’s what I did; I sent out an email to this Canadian blogger named Marcus Troy, explaining in brief, who I was and how I was impressed by the personal brand he had created for himself.

Marcus has a fantastic personal brand. A fashion enthusiast with an obvious passion for style and image (traits which are immensely important for online branding). His story is unique and inspirational to anyone wanting to build a brand and a business online and he is always willing to discuss further opportunities with anyone who shares a common interest.

Without further ado, Mr. Marcus Troy is this week’s Industry Spotlight:

Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Marcus Troy and I am a lifestyle/fashion blogger and a cultural participant.

How did you get into this industry?

I’ve spent years in the fashion industry and blogging became an extension of who I was. I started off share passion and it turned into this amazing forum for engaging and connecting people. I enjoy sharing thoughts and ideas and engaging my audience.

Was this how you had planned things to go or are you capitalising on opportunities and simply rolling with it?

I did not plan this out it sort of just happened a few years ago when I co-founded an online magazine. Things just evolved into this multimedia platform.

We’re in a new era where anyone can create opportunities for themselves. Do you agree?

I believe we are all capable of creating new opportunities for ourselves. Some of the most influential people are just one click away. You can write a blog post that can change your life. You can create a video that goes viral and next thing you know you are sitting on Oprah’s couch. Technology has helped people connect in ways that would have taken forever to happen.

Would you rather have 100,000 twitter followers to market to or an extra £10,000?

I would rather have the money. With resources you can create opportunities, ideas that will get you the 100,000 followers eventually. I don’t think people have figured out how to turn their 100k followers into money. You might have 100k followers but it does not mean you are an influence to them. If you are able to activate your 100k followers and drive them to a product or a service you could probably monetize your twitter.

What one thing can you not live without?

My family.

If you wasn’t in this field, what would you be doing?

I would be in fashion retail.

With so many talkers and gamers out there claiming to be experts and influencers. Do you consider yourself a smooth talker, a real talker or a don’t talk to me i’m not a talker?

I would classify myself as a talker (meaning I like to talk) I don’t don’t like to talk for talking sake though. Some people talk because they have a hole in their mouth. I like to turn talk into action and into tangible things. I don’t like to consider myself an influencer…I believe I have the ability to influence but I rather other people call me influential than claiming it myself.

Name three people who have inspired you in your life.

My father

If you were a superhero, who would you be?

I’ve always been fascinated with Super heroes as I love the double identity aspects. I think I would want to be superman.

What does the future have in store for you?

I wish I knew.

Finally, if you could give one piece of advice to young creative minds, what would it be?

I would suggest to be patient, don’t be obsessed with growth. Allow things to develop organically and the journey will last a longer time.

Head over to Marcus Troy’s website where you can check out all the projects Marcus is working on right now. To stay up to date with Marcus and his quest for world domination, follow him on twitter.

The Marcus Troy iPhone app is available now. Click here to download for free.

At the bottom of every Industry Spotlight interview, I leave a note stating that if anyone wants to recommend an individual to be interviewed then to get in touch. On that note, this spotlight has been recommended by the lovely Silver Fox.

Reem tells me about a successful young lady who writes for multiple different websites and one who carries an elegant display of confidence when she is conversing with her network on Twitter. After a short spell of research I agree that Becca Caddy is clearly motivated, inspired and gives off a positive aura to all those around her.

I am delighted to publish this week’s Industry Spotlight piece with Becca Caddy.

Who are you and what do you do?

I’m Becca and I guess my standard line is that I’m a freelance writer specialising in tech, style and popular culture.

I also launched a new project last week called Behind the Looking Glass, which is basically a style and beauty website with a conscience.

How did you get into this industry and why did you chose this path??

I left university with a BA in english language and literature and no clue where to go or what to do. I decided to stay in the safety of education and completed an MA in public relations and communications.

For six months I wrote copy for Asda about sweets and cakes, before leaving to write daily editorial for Reputation Online, a spin-off publication of New Media Age. I stayed there for six months before leaving to take on other freelance opportunities and have since picked up some really interesting work.

Was this how you had planned things to go or are you capitalising on opportunities and simply rolling with it?

I always knew I wanted to write, but that’s it. So you could say I’ve rolled with it, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t worked hard, I’ve just never had a specific goal in mind.

We’re in a new era where anyone can create opportunities for themselves. Do you agree?

Definitely. But never under-estimate the importance of working hard and putting the hours in.

Would you rather have 100,000 twitter followers to market to or an extra £10,000?

An extra £10,000 without a doubt. I’ve made some great friends and connections on Twitter, but it’s never been a numbers game for me and don’t think it necessarily needs to be for brands either.

What one thing can you not live without?

For someone that loves technology this will seem like a weird one, but it has to be my Filofax.

I have to have everything handwritten and stored in the same place, my finances, diary, contacts, to-do lists, EVERYTHING.

Of course if I ever lose it I’d be unbelievably screwed, but what can I say, I like to live dangerously.

If you wasn’t in this field, what would you be doing?

Forensic linguistics. I love language and will probably study linguistics in more depth when I’m a little older.

With so many talkers and gamers out there claiming to be experts and influencers. Do you consider yourself a smooth talker, a real talker or a don’t talk to me i’m not a talker?

I’m definitely not a smooth talker and can’t bear to be around people who are. A lot of the time I’d say I’m a real talker, but I have no shame in admitting that at times I don’t like to talk at all. I think there’s a big misconception that to do well you have to be loud, outgoing and extrovert when really that’s not the case.

Name three people who have inspired you in your life.

If you were a superhero, who would you be?

Lisbeth Salander. She’s classed as a “superhero” now, right?

What does the future have in store for you?

Fun. Happiness. Success. I’ve spent far too much of my life worrying about what the future will hold, I’m just going to work hard and make the most of every opportunity.

And finally, if you could give one piece of advice to young creative minds, what would it be?

Don’t be afraid to ignore everyone else’s advice and go with your instincts.

As pointed out above, take a look at Becca’s latest invention Behind The Looking Glass. Get to know her better by following her on Twitter and check out her website which is www.beccacaddy.com.

Yesterday i decided to get back into the blog game, i was actually sitting in the steam room at the leisure center when i began to brainstorm. I hadn’t written a decent post in a while and where the majority of my readers type the iamluca url and expect to watch a new music video or free download, i hate to disappoint but that chapter has taken a leap off a 80 story tower block. If you do want your daily Urban Music fix i suggest you check out my good friends at Team Supreme, cos they have the Urban Music Blog game locked down.

Back to the story now; so i am sitting in the steam room, towel over my head and all that, deep breaths soaking up the aroma and Aloe Vera the chap next to me has sprayed, when i remembered something that Andrew Davis told me a few weeks back. Now for reference, Andrew is a mentor, a colleague of mine, and the creator of The Worst Kept Secret.

“If you do something 21 days in a row it becomes a habit.” Andrew stated. I don’t usually question Andrew, i prefer to just Google something and i haven’t yet found a time when he speaks out of his arse so i can take his statements as a valid argument.

This got me thinking about what i needed to be doing and not only habits that i would like to create, but also those that i could break. So that simple Google Search lead me to a blog post by a guy called Steven Aitchison. Steven writes a very interesting blog focused around ‘positive thinking and challenging the mind.’ You should definitely check it out!

Now i didn’t care too much about finding further research about whether this is a credible statement, i mean, why waste more time when i have to get off the bench and into the game. I was more interested in what habits would help me move forward in 2010 and a step closer to that bright light (success by the way, not heaven).

So what was the first habit i wanted to imply with a 21 day challenge? It had to be the all important fitness task. Having exchanged regular exercise for selection boxes, Cadburys Heroes and weeks old dry turkey for the last three weeks, it was time to get my Spiderman physique back on. (That means im hoping to just wake up hench and pose in the mirror).
21 days of hardcore fitness await me… well actually 19 cos by the time of writing this i have been to the gym the last two days. If i cant make it to the gym, i have to make sure i go for lengthy hour run, armed with snow boots and a fur coat Rocky IV style.

The second habit goes hand in hand with the above one: 21 days of healthy eating. What would be the point of training like Ivan Drago if im gonna polish off a portion of cheesy chips for dinner.

Healthy eating consists of three main meals:
- Breakfast: A bowl of Special K or two boiled eggs with wholemeal bread and a glass of fresh juice.
- Lunch: A Salad with olive oil dressing or a sandwich (no crisps).
- Dinner: A meat or fish, freshly cooked with minimal seasoning and hand cut potatoes with a side salad.

Fortunately i am actually a pretty good cook, compliments of the Italian parents, so this won’t be a problem. If you think not being able to cook will put an end to your washboard stomach regime, i suggest bookmarking a Jamie Oliver site.

The third and final habit i am installing is this one. To write a blog post every day for 21 days; and like i said in yesterdays post it doesn’t really matter what you are writing, as long as you are writing something. If it stops you chatting waffle on Facebook to friends that you hoped that you got rid of five years ago, its a good thing. It will also be a good chance for me to keep track of my progress also, so im excited about doing this one.

So these are my three habits:

• 21 days of Fitness training (Gym, Running, Home workout).
• 21 days of Healthy eating (Three healthy meals per day)
• 21 days of blog posting.

And there we have it, i will be enforcing these until Sunday 24th January. If this theory is correct i should be rocking a string vest with a pair of bulging biceps that will get me a date with Katie Price by the following Monday.

I actually don’t have any habits that i would be interesting in breaking, maybe to stay of Facebook cos it is that distracting, but my blog posts feed to Facebook and it would be rude of me, giving Social Media advice to people, when i don’t use the site myself.

Good habits that some may want to break are: Stop Smoking, No Chocolate, Sweets or Crisps, No Fast Food, Don’t use your computer after a certain time etc.

If this post interests you and you decide to take the challenge also, please feel free to contact me and keep me updated via a reply to this post, via my email which is info@iamluca.co.uk or via my twitter.