Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

Thinking, writing, business ideas … You’re only a stranger once.

February 10, 2009

11:00 - Liz Strauss on Building a Personal Development Network

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 10:58 am

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

The theme of SOBCon09 is the ROI of Relationships. Relationships with customers, employees, colleagues, coworkers, builders, contractors, developers, and CUSTOMERS — in the form of readers, buyers, clients, and others — are the success of any business.

How do we form the best relationships; bring our best to them; build environments that nurture them; and measure our success?

Join the Comment Box Conference. Ask questions. Discuss answers. Meet people in the comment box. Find out.

Liz Strauss

Liz is a social web strategist and community builder. Coming from a background of publishing, business, and instructional design, Liz understands how people perceive a blog, a product, and an experience — how the head and heart engage to make a fiercely loyal customer. She can articulate what makes things irresistible — what keeps people coming back — from literacy, editorial, design, and marketing sensitivities. Liz will tell you that brands and social media are the same in that “You gotta live it, walking ever word you speak.”

Today Liz is here to talk about how to build a personal development network of support and growth. Some ideas and talking points might include:

Building a Personal Development Network

1. Start with a personal foundation built on concrete not sand.

Know what you know and never discount its value.

2. Know Your Context — Pick your path.

3. Enlist Developers — Choose unique and valuable guides.

4. Regularly Reassess — Seek opportunities to learn what you’re learning.

5. Develop Others — Return the favor and pay it forward.

6. AND THE ONE THAT WAS MISSING — Communicate. Let your network

Let’s let the questions start rolling. I’ll offer the first one!

Liz is a founder of the highly successful business and social media conference SOBCon She has been named to the Top 100 Social Media & Internet Marketing Bloggers Top 100 Most Influential Marketers of 2008, the 50 of the Most Powerful and Influential Women of Social Media, NxE’s Fifty Most Influential ‘Female’ Bloggers

Liz Strauss writes about branding, social media and how businesses can use the entrepreneurial spirit to understand and build successful relationships and communities on the Internet. You’ll find her at Successful-blog.
Follow @lizstrauss at Twitter.

Register for SOBCon09 NOW!!
Develop your strongest personal network.





Filed under Marketing, Successful Blog |




C'mon. Let's talk!

68 Comments to “11:00 - Liz Strauss on Building a Personal Development Network”

  1. February 10th, 2009 at 11:01 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    How do you surround yourself with people who keep you growing?

  2. February 10th, 2009 at 11:08 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    For me, the purpose of a Personal Developmental Network is to offer guidance in becoming the best I can be inside and outside the world of business. My approach to building my network is life focused — I want a network that helps me grow as a human meant to achieve something and I believe that a network that grows with me offers depth and insight that are priceless.

  3. February 10th, 2009 at 11:09 am
    VickyH said

    I always place respect at the top of a relationship, because if I don’t respect their opinion, I’ll never trust their opinion.

    From there, I discover wonderful things about them as an individual

  4. February 10th, 2009 at 11:10 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Vicky!
    What sort of people do you have in your personal development network?

  5. February 10th, 2009 at 11:13 am
    VickyH said

    It’s such a variety of ppl, I can’t even begin to classify them in a group.

    I am a life long learner and love diversity

  6. February 10th, 2009 at 11:14 am
    VickyH said

    I would say people that are passionate, dedicated, and interested in personal growth.

  7. February 10th, 2009 at 11:15 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    A friend and mentor of mine said any good idea should be vetted by a friend, an “enemy” and someone who doesn’t know you. Ever tried doing someething like?

  8. February 10th, 2009 at 11:15 am
    VickyH said

    I think I see in each of them a little piece of myself.

  9. February 10th, 2009 at 11:17 am
    Marcia said

    Even if I have different priorities and values from someone, I still try and figure out what I’m meant to learn from that person. Can they teach me to step outside of fear, or love more freely, or consider a different way of looking at a situation?

    Second, I keep my RSS reader filled with wonderful writers like Liz. That way I can dip in and read when I need a fresh dose of motivation or inspiration.

    Thanks for kicking this off Liz!

  10. February 10th, 2009 at 11:17 am
    VickyH said

    I am a researcher, I research something for months.

    I don’t like talking if I don’t know enough about a topic to hold a conversation. So usually I’ve researched something pretty thoroughly before I state my idea or opinion.

  11. February 10th, 2009 at 11:17 am
    Amy Locurto said

    I would like to meet more social networkers in my area. I never thought of that before meeting you Liz. What do you suggest besides contacting people through Twitter? I checked a few social group, but they aren’t that active here. I might just need to research more.

  12. February 10th, 2009 at 11:17 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    I think that’s a great observation. We can’t meet to talk or learn, unless we find the places where we’re alike.

  13. February 10th, 2009 at 11:18 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hey Marcia!

    Do you have a strategy for picking out who you bring around you? Or do you do intuitively?

  14. February 10th, 2009 at 11:20 am
    VickyH said

    Exactly, that usually starts with knowing someone is trustworthy and honest.

    I don’t like trying to figure out someone’s motives. I don’t want to disect their intentions, I want to have a conversation.

  15. February 10th, 2009 at 11:20 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hey Amy!
    I made it a point to watch for folks who followed me that were here in Chicago. I also looked for opportunities to go out to meet them in the concrete world. Coffee dates and network events were a once a week thing for almost a year.

  16. February 10th, 2009 at 11:21 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Vicky,
    How do you decide who to talk to?

  17. February 10th, 2009 at 11:23 am
    Amy Locurto said

    I am trying to move my design business from less print work to web and social media work. I felt intimidated by that aspect, being a small firm. I hope to meet many more contacts in this industry to help with the transition. I do have some great programmers and I know that is a super asset.

  18. February 10th, 2009 at 11:24 am
    VickyH said

    I like people that make me think. If someone asks a question or states an opinion and I say “I never thought of that?”…

    People that are opinionated but have good reason’s behind their beliefs. They don’t have to be the same beliefs, but they must make sense to me why they feel that way.

  19. February 10th, 2009 at 11:25 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Amy,
    Getting to know who knows things and who knows people is good. Doing what you just did — letting people know what you know is even better.

    Check out @marblehead on Twitter. He’s in Dallas.

  20. February 10th, 2009 at 11:27 am
    Amy Locurto said

    Liz,

    That’s great advice. I love coffee and I love talking. Gotta just get out there and find people in my area. The print world and internet world are so far from each other. I’m slowly getting my feet wet. Thanks! Looking forward to coming back to hear all the other great people on your panel!

  21. February 10th, 2009 at 11:27 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Vicky,
    Oh, I like that People that are opinionated but have good reason’s behind their beliefs. They don’t have to be the same beliefs, but they must make sense to me why they feel that way.

    So how do you get the word out that you want to learn something new, need a new teacher?

  22. February 10th, 2009 at 11:28 am
    VickyH said

    Amy,

    My web designer for http://RemarkableParents.com was @RandaClay. You should follow her and subscribe to her blog. She knows a lot about WP and technology which I loved as well as her being a great designer!

  23. February 10th, 2009 at 11:28 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Amy,
    I’m so looking forward to seeing how fast your base in Dallas grows!

  24. February 10th, 2009 at 11:28 am
    Mary-Lynn said

    What I have found, by attending conferences like SOBCon, is that people are very open to helping you. You just have to ask! Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

  25. February 10th, 2009 at 11:29 am
    VickyH said

    Amy,

    Check out Twitter Local. Google it, I’m not sure of the URL

  26. February 10th, 2009 at 11:30 am
    Todd Smith said

    This is great, Liz! That was nice to hear about you having coffee with new acquaintances until they became friends. I live in a rural area, but I guess the phone is the next best option.

  27. February 10th, 2009 at 11:30 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hey Mary-Lynn!
    I’ve been thinking about you, even before this event. How’s your development and growth network going?

  28. February 10th, 2009 at 11:32 am
    VickyH said

    I usually first have my interest sparked… I favorite a lot of tweets that are interesting, then I do some research, then I ask some ‘hopefully intelligent’ questions.

    Most people are so friendly and helpful, especially bloggers.

  29. February 10th, 2009 at 11:32 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hey Todd,
    Turn those internet contacts into phone friends. Yep that’s a way to do it. :)

  30. February 10th, 2009 at 11:34 am
    Bean said

    In a network, I look for people that listen. Have you ever been in networking situations where you can’t get a word in edgewise? Or even while you speak, you can see the other person leveraging for their next pitch instead of listening to those around them?
    I have, on too many occasions. That is usually my clue to exit stage left!
    It is can be seductively easy to get so caught up in our latest great idea that we get tunnel vision. For me a successful network has opportunities to really listen and learn as well as spread my own gospel.

  31. February 10th, 2009 at 11:34 am
    Dan said

    OK, I’m convinced and this is a no brainer. I consider you part of my network of learning and growing.
    Dan

  32. February 10th, 2009 at 11:34 am
    VickyH said

    Todd,

    Another thing that’s fun, if you use Gmail and the Gmail chat feature you can see if someone’s online in Gmail and chat. Facebook has the same thing. I like to just pop by and say hi. Twitter is the ultimate for live conversations tho.

  33. February 10th, 2009 at 11:35 am
    VickyH said

    Bean,

    Great point. I need to listen more :-(

  34. February 10th, 2009 at 11:36 am
    VickyH said

    Hi Mary-lynn!

  35. February 10th, 2009 at 11:36 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hey Bean,
    Those listeners are often the people who think before they talk, too. :)

  36. February 10th, 2009 at 11:37 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Dan,
    The beauty of that is I learn every time I come here. You’re part of my group too.

  37. February 10th, 2009 at 11:37 am
    Mary-Lynn said

    Liz, it is overwhelming sometimes! I will have to send you an email with an update. But I have to say, we have built great relationships that have led to mutually beneficial opportunities. That’s the beauty of nurturing the relationships we make in our networks…looking for win/win!

  38. February 10th, 2009 at 11:37 am
    VickyH said

    Liz is a great listener. One of her best qualities I think.

  39. February 10th, 2009 at 11:39 am
    VickyH said

    @Mary-lynn I like to say win-win-win because if we have a blog or audience they win too!

  40. February 10th, 2009 at 11:39 am
    Mary-Lynn said

    Hi back, Vicky! You are a perfect example of building a personal development network. We met at SOBCon, and have continued to stay in touch. I have observed how you interact on Twitter, Facebook, and in helping out with Liz on this bigg event! Sometimes we can learn from each other simply by watching each other.

  41. February 10th, 2009 at 11:40 am
    Nick Wagner said

    These are great ideas. I like VickyH’s suggestion, researching favorite Tweets.

    Much of my networking is done by e-mail (so Web 1.0). I’m also trying to build up a community valuable relationships on Facebook.

  42. February 10th, 2009 at 11:40 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Mary-Lynn,
    One of the hardest parts of a personal network is when it starts scaling up. It’s like a twitter list gone wild.

    It’s hard to sit on the same side of the table and align goals with good people when so many people have interesting ideas.

    That’s when a small network of people around me help me to keep focused on where I really want to go.

  43. February 10th, 2009 at 11:42 am
    Mary-Lynn said

    Liz, VERY good point.

  44. February 10th, 2009 at 11:42 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hey Nick,
    Nothing wrong with starting on solid ground. No need to do what anyone else is doing until you see it’s usefulness to you. :)

  45. February 10th, 2009 at 11:43 am
    VickyH said

    When I went to SOBCon I never blogged before and just started on twitter.

    What a difference 6 months makes…

  46. February 10th, 2009 at 11:44 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    #45
    Vicky I wish I had your clock. The next SOBCon is only 3 months from now. :)

  47. February 10th, 2009 at 11:45 am
    VickyH said

    Nick,

    You might want to check out Jott, it’s a voice to text service. You call them, leave a message, they translate to text and send to you via email. It’s a huge time saver :-)

    I have my iPhone voicemail automatically transcribed to text. Works well for me.

  48. February 10th, 2009 at 11:46 am
    Bean said

    @Todd @Vicki
    I have a speech impediment that can make face to face networking a challenge so I rely heavily on instant messaging services like Instant Messenger, Facebook and Gmail. Instant Messenger has a group function so you can communicate with more than one person. I use a lot of skype too. If I am having a bad speech day, I can type responses and I can hear the individual or group that I am interacting with. We can give each other links on projects we are working on and get immediate feedback.

  49. February 10th, 2009 at 11:48 am
    VickyH said

    @Bean Do what works best for you… That sounds like it works great, so I wouldn’t change a thing. Spend a little time trying new products, but keep the old stand by’s until your sure you want to change something.

  50. February 10th, 2009 at 11:48 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Thanks, Vicky!
    Jott brings connections closer.
    Anything that keeps us talking about what we want to learn is a saver.

  51. February 10th, 2009 at 11:49 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Bean,
    That’s one of the things I like most about technology. When it’s used with thought, people become more accessible.

  52. February 10th, 2009 at 11:49 am
    VickyH said

    Time has flown bye… See what I mean :-)

  53. February 10th, 2009 at 11:50 am
    Nick Wagner said

    Vicky,

    Thanks for the tip. I tried Jott a year or so ago, but I’m mostly at my computer all day. So I didn’t find it too helpful. You’ve encouraged me to check it out again.

    Just visited your site. You’ve only been doing this six months? Looks great.

  54. February 10th, 2009 at 11:52 am
    VickyH said

    Interestingly, you can Jott now from your desktop, Twitter, Facebook, I like it when I have a quick idea… I used to have a post it note habit, til I started loosing the post it notes… hehe

  55. February 10th, 2009 at 11:54 am
    VickyH said

    @Nick Thanks so much. I met such great friends at SOBCon who are bloggers, they keep me learning and interested.

    I still talk to 90 percent of them. Very cool

  56. February 10th, 2009 at 11:56 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    We’ve found a group of folks who can talk honestly.

    Now we need to get talking about goals that move us forward.

    Pick handful of close advisors — people you trust to tell you the truth — and share your goals with them.

    Then use them as your network to build a future.

  57. February 10th, 2009 at 11:58 am
    VickyH said

    Excellent advice! I heard writing down your goals has a higher rate of success.

  58. February 10th, 2009 at 11:58 am
    Amy L. said

    Liz,

    Thanks for the Marblehead contact. They just re-designed the Dallas Society of Visual Communications site and I never clued into who worked on it. I’ve been a part of that group for years. Hope to meet them at the next meeting. I’m sure I know someone that works there:-)

    Good meeting everyone else here in the comments. I’m @livinglocurto if anyone wants to stop by to say hi!

  59. February 10th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Amy,
    @marblehead (Jay Ramirez) is on Twitter. Bet he knows. :)

  60. February 10th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
    VickyH said

    I’m @eeUS. @Amy I’ll definatly follow you and say hi soon

  61. February 10th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
    Todd Smith said

    Vicky, Bean - I love that we have so many ways to communicate at our disposal now.

  62. February 10th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
    Bean said

    I think Liz has really raised an important point, as she has stressed a close network of honest advisors/colleagues who will provide you with concrete and critical commentary and advice.
    Not everyone will have the confidence and diplomacy to do that effectively. When you find and connect those that do, treasure them like gold

  63. February 10th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
    VickyH said

    Thank you Liz for leading such a great discussion!

  64. February 10th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
    VickyH said

    @Bean So true, you are right on with that last statement.

  65. February 10th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Thank you all for coming over to talk. Stay as long as you like!

  66. February 14th, 2009 at 8:06 am
    SOBCon Comment Conference Recap: Thanks for a Fabulous Day of Q&A! - Liz Strauss at Successful Blog - Thinking, writing, business ideas … You’re only a stranger once. said

    [...] - Liz Strauss on How to Build a Personal Development Network 12:00 - Mark Carter on Saving The World With Social Media 1:00 - Lucretia Pruitt on Twittering [...]

  67. March 5th, 2009 at 10:33 am
    Mark said

    This is interesting but I’m not sure where to fit it in–Nick’s “Web 1.0″ comment comes to mind. :) I’m interesting in developing a network but it’s somewhat specialized—stock/option traders. I blog about investing topics that most people want nothing to do with. There are a select few, however, who make the craft their life. How might this all apply to me?

  68. March 8th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
    12 Horas de um-para-um com peritos « Criação de SItes said

    [...] 11:00 - Liz Strauss “Construir uma Rede de Desenvolvimento Pessoal [...]

Name (required)

Email (required)

Website

C'mon Let's Talk!