August 8, 2006
The Mic Is on at the Neighborhood Hangout
ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 7:00 pm
It’s Like Open Mic Only Different
Here’s how it works.
It’s like any rambling conversation. Don’t try to read it all. Jump in whenever you get here. Just go to the end and start talking. EVERYONE is WELCOME.
The rules are simple — be nice.
Tonight we’re hanging out!
We might also talk about
- The people we meet
- The places we where we used to hang out
- The weirdest hangouts
- The crazy people in them
AND THE EVER POPULAR,
Basil the code-writing donkey.
–Me “Liz” Strauss
Related article
The Mic is on and We’re in OZ!
Filed under Comments, Community, Marketing, Successful Blog |
C'mon. Let's talk!
468 Comments to “The Mic Is on at the Neighborhood Hangout”
Joe said
Uh Oh,
Don’t tell me I’m the first again…
Hey All,
“where everybody knows… your name…”
Susan Reynolds said
Is this the kind of joint where we can get drinks while we hang, Liz?
ME Strauss said
Hi Joe,
We have some folks back stage. They’ll be over in a minute.
Susan Reynolds said
Joe’s got the kind of place you can hang out in his new forum, right Joe?
Joe said
Hey Susan,
Thanks for joining… you know…
I can use all the help I can get.
BTW you have a PM on the forum.
ME Strauss said
Hi Susan,
Welcome, Here some cold ones for both of you. Snacks and beverages from the sidebar are always available.
Joe said
Yeah Susan, and Liz said I could put the URL in the comments http://workingathomeinternet.com/forum
I promise I won’t overdo it, really I won’t ;-)
ME Strauss said
Joe,
I’m not worried about you overdoing it. I’ll have my ways of keeping an eye on you.
Wendy Piersall said
No worries - I’m here! Just multi-tasking like a good ADD mom should! ;)
Scorpia said
By the way, Liz, you have a great blog here. I usually check it once a day. Keep up the good the work.
ME Strauss said
Yeah, Wendy, meet Joe and Susan.
Joe has a new forum. He works at home too.
Susan is a spectacula artist.
Joe said
Liz,
Susan, Jessie Skinner, HART have already joined. I’m hoping to tap some more experts to help disseminate (?) helpful information.
Susan Reynolds said
Get rockin with the song “Hang Out” for the theme @ http://rcs.law.emory.edu/rcs/ss/16/ss16797.mp3 Lloyd Arnold McCollough. Born 1935 in Memphis
Wendy Piersall said
Susan, I believe we have met on the LinkedIn Bloggers group - correct?
ME Strauss said
Hi Scorpio.
Thanks! What do you do when you’re not reading writing books?
Joe said
Hey Wendy, and Scorpia
Susan Reynolds said
We have, Wendy! Nice to see you here.
Wendy Piersall said
:) Thanks for the comment on my Boostday!
Hi to Joe and Scorpia too!
Scorpia said
Books? Hah! No, I’ve never written a book. I do, however, write reviews and other articles on PC gaming. Been doing that a long time.
Joe said
Where’s HART???
He was just over at my place, I thought he took a short cut to get here…
Wendy Piersall said
Liz, this comment night thing is sheer brilliance. Easton was right about you!
ME Strauss said
Sorry, Scorpia,
about misspelling your name there.
You’ll find out quickly that we have a rule here. The comments get going so fast and furious that we don’t worry too much about spelling and punctuation for this open comment sesstion stuff.
ME Strauss said
Scorpia that is very cool . . . I think my husband will fall in love with you as soon as he finds out.
Scorpia said
Not a problem, Liz. You should see my typoing in chat ;)
ME Strauss said
Wendy,
Thanks, Comment night is BIG fun, but it takes a lot of time too.
Easton is a special guy. Kind of like Joe there.
Scorpia said
Ah, will he? Always glad to add to my harem ;) What games does he like? I specialize in adventure and role-playing.
ME Strauss said
Joe,
I’m not coming into your forum. I’m afraid I’ll never get out. Those places are an addiction.
Joe said
Hey Wendy,
With 14 writers, maybe you should do individual About’s.
Maybe you did and I just didn’t read far enough yet.
ME Strauss said
Wendy,
My son is in town. I wish you were coming up further north. I’m by Belmont Harbor. I’d meet you for coffee.
Rick said
Hi Liz, Joe, Susan, Wendy, Scorpia!
Scorpia said
And by the way, hi to everyone out there!
ME Strauss said
Hey, Rick,
Thanks for coming. We’re hanging out and talking. Susan already left a link of hanging out music.
Wendy Piersall said
Joe - you lost me on that one - perhaps it’s because the morning coffee is long worn off…
Joe said
Hey Rick,
Welcome to the mayhem…
@ Liz,
Addiction is a good thing when it helps others, right?
ME Strauss said
Scorpia,
My son thinks Deus X is the best game ever. My husband is a simulator person . . . His best game ever is Shattered Steel.
Susan Reynolds said
Scorpia, I’ll make sure to point my son and the daughter who’s into that stuff in your direction. They’ll be excited.
Chris Cree said
Hey! Anyone want a Klondike Bar? Whitehouse Cherry? MMmmmm….
There’s some new faces here I see…
ME Strauss said
Yeah, Joe,
What was that comment about . . . 14 writers?
Joe said
Wendy,
Blogjolt? I was just there and there are a few writers, unless I went to the wrong place ;-0
ME Strauss said
Hey Chris!
Scorpia reviews PC gaming. Wendy writes for emoms at home.
Scorpia said
Ah, those are a little out of my field. Alas. But they are welcome to come by for a look anyway.
Wendy Piersall said
Belmont Harbor, huh? Hey Ya’ll - Liz lives in the ritzy part of town.. ;)
We’ll get our coffee in. I have some business development ideas brewing and I could use some help. I’m meeting with FeedBurner tomorrow :)
Rick said
I listened to the song. It made me wish I still a vinyl record player so I could pull out some Chuck Berry. Hanging out with friends listening to music has always been one of my favorite passtimes.
ME Strauss said
No worries, Scorpia, maybe AdLib will show up he is a fiend for Civilization.
Susan Reynolds said
Joe, I have to be really strict with myself not to do forums either but I’m glad to add a few things to yours for the sake of good will :^) - Besides, I’m too nosy to have you to build a forum without me admiring it.
Chris Cree said
Games I understand.
But emoms? Wendy do they have in home virtual mommies now? I don’t have kids, but I could see how that might be a good thing to have! ;)
Susan Reynolds said
Chris I love what you and Basil are up to down there in the steamy south!
Wendy Piersall said
Ah, the BlogJolt isn’t really a group of writers in that respect. We band together and flood a weekly target blog with inbound links, del.icio.us tags, and traffic. We work together to totally boost each other - one blog at a time.
Scorpia said
Heh, Civ is a strategy game, and I’ve always found them boring myself. Nothing is as dull to me as resource management. Well, okay, maybe watching paint dry would be worse ;)
Wendy Piersall said
Virtual in-home mommies?! Where can I get one of those! I need one! ;)
ME Strauss said
Wnedy,
Not so ritzy. I live a little north of ritzy. Shoot me an email. I love business strategy.
I’ve been down to Feedburner. They’re really great there.
Susan Reynolds said
Wendy is that working better than the LinkedIn blog boosts did?
Joe said
Thanks Susan,
Anything you add will be appreciated, not only by me, but anyone looking for direction in being self employed.
Wendy Piersall said
So far we’ve only done one - and it went really well. I wanted to target the members a little more than LIB’s because it was always such a big complaint. Would love to have you!
ME Strauss said
Rick,
I know exactly what you mean. When my big brothers when to college they left me all of their 45s and then I started my own collection. Music is like a time machine.
Chris Cree said
Joe, I signed up for your forum. But I haven’t thought of anything worth contributing. You know I don’t really work from home. I’m a blogger with a day job. Besides the $8 and change that AdSense has earned me hardly counts as a working wage!
Susan Reynolds said
Sing along with that piano player! http://rcs.law.emory.edu/rcs/ss/03/ss3501.mp3
ME Strauss said
Chris,
You made 8 Dollars! Gosh I wish I knew that when you were in Chicago. I would have made you take me out to dinner.
ME Strauss said
Keep that music coming, Susan.
Maybe Starbucker will show up and we’ll be dancing again.
Wendy Piersall said
AdSense is a pretty crappy revenue generator for a WAHM site. Nobody trusts home business ads on the internet! I’m seeking alternatives. Suggestions anyone?
Joe said
Chris,
You always have good insight on your blog, if there isn’t a subject you feel comfortable with, create your own topic.
You don’t have to work at home to have insight into how it is… you have 2 cats and a wife that I know of, not to say anything about a visiting code-writing donkey.
ME Strauss said
Scorpia,
AdLib has to take it off his computer. He’s THAT addicted to it.
Scorpia said
By the way, Liz, I’ve been wondering: why the “ME”?
Starbucker said
Howdy everyone! Looks like some new faces tonight - great to see ya!
ME Strauss said
Speaking of the visiting code-writing donkey . . . How is he?
Can’t say as I miss him. But maybe we should tell folks about him.
Scorpia said
Liz, I’m not surprised. But he should keep it on. Then he’ll play until burnout, after which, he’ll never look at it again. Have a friend who burned out on the first Civ. He hasn’t touched it since. Overload has its uses.
cat said
Morning everyone.
Joe, I checked out your forum and will get to it later on. Seems a grand idea. Like Liz, I’m a bit leary of getting stuck in there for hours. Forums can be so addictive.
Susan, I see you are a designer who blogs. As soon as I get the database fixed on DWB, I’ll come to you for some bits if you are game.
Drat database problems. And the WordPress help is no help in this situation. Neither is posting to get help but a solution may be at hand …
[[ let’s see if Liz’s blog likes me this morning. This is my week of computer/internet problems ]]
cat
Starbucker said
Did somebody mention dancing? Oh Liz, how can we top the last time?
Joe said
Hey Starbucker…
You were the First to host the (I hear) code-writing donkey, how was he as a guest???
Rick said
Yeah, music can take us to any time of our lives. It’s one of the best time machines we have.
http://www.streetplay.com/stories/hangingout/ is pretty much what being a kid was when I was growing up (except a more suburban area). There are some neat stories there.
Chris Cree said
Liz, back then it was only $6 and change. :lol:
Wendy, I have different problem with AdSense that gives the same results. I ramble all over the place and it can’t figure out what kind of ads are relevant. I’m game for other ideas.
Joe, I think Ben would be better to speak of the donkey…
ME Strauss said
Hi Starbucker,
Not up for dancing tonight. That’s okay. We’re just hanging out anyway.
Starbucker said
Hi Joe - well, Basil was a handfull. I took him to Boston with me and I lost him; turned out he ran into “Donkey” from Shrek and they had quite the weekend before Basil managed to get back to Connecticut
ME Strauss said
Scorpia,
Mari Elizabeth Monterastelli –ME
AdLib plays for months and doesn’t burn out. I don’t think the burn out overdose thing works on him. He’s really intelligent and capable of hyper focus
Rick said
Hi Cat, Starbucker. Susan has been bringing some good dancing music.
Chris Cree said
Hey Cat, Starbucker!
ME Strauss said
Cat,
I think you’re safe on Akismet. I was getting caught too for a day there. I put in a complaint to customer service. I think I scared. it.
Scorpia said
Liz, neat how that worked out! You can say ME and get away with it. I like that.
Hmm, yeah, AdLib sounds like one of those rare ones. In that case, yes, taking the game off is the only thing to do.
Rick said
Hi Chris!
Starbucker said
I’m listening to it right now - that’s a rockin’ !! Where did you find that Susan?
ME Strauss said
Starbucker,
These folks don’t know who the donkey is,
Joe said
Hey Cat,
It’s only addictive if you let it be… besides, I know you have a lot of smarts in that brain of yours that could help someone, somewhere.
Ben Yoskovitz said
Evening y’all. What’s shaking?
Starbucker said
Hi Chris - great Savannah pictures on the Basil blog, by the way. I’ve never been there - looks like I need to go.
ME Strauss said
Susan is just one surprise after another.
cat said
Hi Chris. Hi Rick!
Liz, Akismet must have known the week I’m having and just wanted to rub salt into these poor wounds.
Off I go to fiddle with the wp-config.php … wish me luck …
ME Strauss said
Good luck, Cat.
Darn, darn wordpress config file.
Joe said
BEN…
Basil the Code-Writing Donkey’s Owner…
How much have you had to suppliment this week???
Rick said
Good luck, Cat.
Ben, that’s a cool map you fixed for Basil. He’s going to be quite the world traveler.
Chris Cree said
Hey Rick, Ben!
Savannah’s a great southern city. One of the few with older buildings still standing. I guess Sherman got tired of burning by the time he got here…
ME Strauss said
Hey Ben,
Someone needs to tell Wendy and Scorpia the story of Basil the donkey. We elected you!
Ben Yoskovitz said
Joe — Basil’s costing me a fortune, if that’s what you mean…how he managed to nab my credit card on the way out the door, I’ll never know. Donkeys aren’t known for their stealth.
Rick — Thanks. It was a ton of fun doing it, I can’t wait to see it filled with little markers!
Starbucker said
Ben’s here now LIz - he can tell us all about Basil the code writing donkey. And what stories I’m sure he has! (Hi Ben)
Susan Reynolds said
I’m always interested in traffic generation Wendy - the real issue for me is that I am dependant to some extent on the art income and I rely on the blog to drive some of that. So readership numbers for their own sake are less important than a certain kind of “interested” reader. I may need to start designing some mom-centric things, some work-at-home things, and stuff like that huh?
Scorpia said
Wow, I just realized how much time I’ve spent here already. Have to go, there are dungeons to delve, critters to kill, and goodies to grab!
All, take care!
**poof**
ME Strauss said
Wendy, Scorpia,
Say hello to Ben so he’ll tell you the story.
Big Roy said
Hello everyone…I’m one of the new guys.
ME Strauss said
Thanks for coming, Scorpia.
It was fun having you. Hope that you come back again.
Ben Yoskovitz said
Hi Wendy and Scorpia. Well it’s a bit of a rambling tale, so let me see.
Basil is a donkey. He writes code for me on another one of my little businesses. (IGotNewsForYou.com)
We named him Basil here at open mic some time ago.
During another open mic session we got on the topic of Fawlty Towers. I ran a contest saying that I’d send the winner the Fawlty Towers DVD Collection. The winner was Cat; but she asked me to send the DVDs to Starbucker.
Instead of just sending the DVDs, I sent Basil. And now, anyone can have Basil visit their house with the DVDs.
You get the DVDs for 1 week before you ship them to the next person on the list. You send a postcard and anything else you want — and you can guest blog on the site (www.whereisbasil.com).
The result is a hysterical community building project surrounding a donkey and Fawlty Towers.
That about right? *grin*
Rick said
G’night Scorpia. It was good to meet you.
Chris Cree said
Ben, How much traffic did IGNFY get from your Real Estate Rant? I saw you were on the front page of Reddit for about 24 hours! Whoah!
Wendy Piersall said
Not really Susan - you’re expertise in making a living from art is enough!
ME Strauss said
Hey Big Roy!
Thanks for coming! :)
cat said
Thanks for your confidence in me Joe. All I know about for sure is my ability to whitter on :-)
Joe said
See ya Scorpia…
@ Susan, Darren wrote a post not long ago about targeting readers (or maybe it was Brian at CopyBlogger guest writing). I’ll see if I can find the post.
Wendy Piersall said
Ben. Also brilliant! Sounds like a blast. But I haven’t watched one second of Fawlty Towers. Hate TV. Is there a workaround?
Ben Yoskovitz said
Chris — approximately 3,500 hits and counting. Was pretty hysterical. I had no idea that would generate so much traffic.
Feedburner went from around 50 to 328.
It won’t last :)
Joe and Susan are talking about exactly the problem with my real estate post — not targeted really; although IGotNewsForYou is a consumer product, but since it’s not linked with real estate it didn’t equate to any real business.
Still fun though!
Ben Yoskovitz said
Hi Wendy!
Well you don’t have to watch the DVDs I guess…*chuckle*…they are worth it though. Even if you hate TV. Fawlty Towers is too classic to ignore.
And hi Big Roy — can you tell me what your blog is about, maybe I’m a bit out of it this evening, but I don’t quite get it right from looking at it.
Starbucker said
Hey Big Roy!
Ben, that’s JUST about right :-)
Rick said
Hi Big Roy!
Ben Yoskovitz said
And Wendy — I think my wife would like your blog. She’s just dipped her toe into the whole sordid affair of blogging but I think she’s getting hooked. Being an actual writer (unlike myself) her stuff is well-written; she just has to take the time to network, and figure it all out.
Joe said
Ok.
Susan here is the link…
http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/08/03/grow-your-blogs-readership-by-targeting-readers/
I hope it helps a little.
Big Roy said
It’s a niche blog for sure…about the Imus in the Morning Show…he has millions of listeners on the radio and tv (MSNBC) so there is a potentially large audience.
Starbucker said
Wow Ben, how awesome - 3,500 hits! I must say you did hit the nail on the head with that post. I’m new to this Reddit thing - who put the post there?
Service Untitled - Douglas said
Hey everyone.
Ben, what caused traffic to jump?
Chris Cree said
You know the exact same thing happened with my “3 free Web Tools” post last week. Just about as many page views too. And still counting.
But like you said, no real traffic increase because it was off topic. For me it was more an exercise in Headline writing after last week here.
ME Strauss said
Ben,
You have a wife? If Chris’ wife is Gorgeous. Your’s must be Beautiful?
Ben Yoskovitz said
Ah thanks, Roy. I’m in Canada so don’t watch MSNBC which is why it went right over my head.
I do like the design - very clean. And the pictures are great.
Big Roy said
It’s just a hobby, but I want to do it right.
I’m certainly not a professional blogger like many.
Wendy Piersall said
Send her over Ben. I didn’t really intend to be a blogger. I had “bigger ambitions” to make my millions as an affiliate marketer. But blogging has me hooked now. Working from home is a beast in and of itself. I let two businesses crash and burn (before this one) because I made so many mistakes - so I have lots to blog about ;)
Service Untitled - Douglas said
Ben, those Savannah pictures look so familiar. I was there not too long ago and I went up those steps actually. :P I guess it is a very small town.
Sasha Manuel said
Hi, everyone! I’m a bit new at this!
Ben Yoskovitz said
Doug — traffic boost was due to reddit.
Chris — I put it there.
I didn’t think it would take off like that, but I was curious. I think the last time I checked it had 70+ boosts on it and nearly 20 comments.
I think I hit a nerve with it somehow.
I considered it my “Monday Morning Musing” where I go a bit off topic to talk about something funny, nagging, etc.
Liz - I do have a wife. Beautiful seems like an appropriate name. Just passed our 5 year anniversary. And a 23-month old son.
Big Roy said
Thanks Ben….it’s a Wordpress theme of course but I did do some tweaking.
Service Untitled - Douglas said
Ben, say two years! It’ll make him sound older.
Chris Cree said
Hey Big Roy! Haven’t heard Imus since I left NY.
Big Roy said
That probably is where his base audience is…but I’m in NC
Susan Reynolds said
Truth be told, Starbucker, I googled something like “hangout” music and wound up at a music repository website provided by the Law Library of Emory University. Cool. Check out http://rcs.law.emory.edu/rcs/index.htm
Wendy Piersall said
*note to self*
*Find out what the heck Reddit is before the next comment night so I can sound like I know what I am talking about*
Very Cool Ben! ;)
Rick said
Hey Douglas!
Big Roy - It’s amazing what you can do with basic tweaks to themes. Mine started life as the Wordpress default.
Starbucker said
Very interesting way to get traffic - but I guess the trick is to get it while still being consistent with the “theme” of the blog, so the traffic comes back. Always a catch I guess.
ME Strauss said
Hey Sasha!
Everyone Say Hi to Sasha!
Ben Yoskovitz said
Doug - Chris took those pictures. Did a mighty fine job too. Basil’s in a few of them but I shrank the pictures a bit too much so he’s hard to see. I’ll be doing a better photo montage of some sort later on when we have more.
Big Roy - Still a good looking site over all, theme or not. There’s lots of good themes, still have to be implemented well. So kudos there.
Wendy - I will send her over. I think she’d make a great blogger; great writing style and a good sense of humor. So we’ll see…
Rick said
Hello Sasha!
ME Strauss said
We’re talking about traffic spikes from posts off topic.
Here’s some cold ones from the sidebar.
Hey you guys mind your manners. Say hello to the new guys.
Starbucker said
That site IS cool Susan - probably lots of great stuff in there. Thanks!
Ben Yoskovitz said
Hi Sasha! Welcome aboard! It’s great to see a handful of new faces already this evening…
Reddit is a social bookmarking site like del.icio.us or digg (and others). It’s the only one that’s generated any real traffic for me.
Big Roy said
Rick..very nice site..I like that clean look and the white background.
Wendy Piersall said
Hi Sasha! I have to say I’m very sad that skinny jeans are back. My butt looks much better in low-riding flares.
Ben Yoskovitz said
Oooh…on Sasha’s blog she mentions a skinny jean giveaway.
Do you guys know how GOOD I look in skinny jeans? Wow.
Basil can’t really find a pair of jeans that fit…
Sasha Manuel said
Perhaps this is a good place to ask how to make a great traffic-generating headline, huh?
Excuse me if you’ve already answered this bit but the 100+ comments is difficult to keep track of. Hahaha.
HI LIZ!!
Chris Cree said
Wendy, Don’t feel bad. None of us really know what we are talking about, except perhaps our esteemed hostess. I’ve found this bunch to be a very forgiving lot.
ME Strauss said
Sasha,
Roy and Wendy are first timers too.
Starbucker said
Good point Liz - a big Shout Out and hello to everyone!
Service Untitled - Douglas said
I haven’t had much luck with any of the digg-type sites. I get some traffic, but not too much.
Wendy Piersall said
Read CopyBlogger a lot for good headlines!
Starbucker said
Well, now I have to take a break - hope I can come back, but if not - y’all take good care!
Big Roy said
WOW really nice site Ben…You have the white with Red post titles..I like that it looks good.
I’ll have all kinds of blogs to check out now.
Rick said
Thanks, Big Roy. I basically do it as a hobby, too.
Reddit seems like it isn’t as oriented toward the tech crowd as del.icio.us or digg.
Chris Cree said
Hey Sasha! Like your blog. Clothes. Everyone needs ‘em.
ME Strauss said
Ask Ben, Chris, and Doug about the headlines . . . They wrote one with Brian last week. It actually became a post.
How did the post do Doug?
Chris Cree said
Rick, Reddit may not be oriented towards tech. But the folks there definitely have their likes and their dislikes.
Ben Yoskovitz said
Sasha — best I can recommend is copyblogger.com. Brian over there is the master headline writer.
My few bits of advice (in no particular order):
1. Use numbers: 5 Ways to Wear Skinny Jeans and SNot Look Ridiclous
2. Make Bold Statements: Guaranteed Skinny Jean Secrets
3. How-to’s: How to Find the Best Fall Fashions Cheap!
4. Be Funny / Shocking / Attention-Grabbing
Wendy Piersall said
I figured Chris… I study this stuff all day every day and still can’t keep up with it all!
Big Roy said
I have tried to get some Diggs…never gotten more than about 10…but I hope to get something that clicks when the election gets closer.
Service Untitled - Douglas said
Rick, if you want tech-orientated, you have to read slashdot. They are too techy for me.
Ben Yoskovitz said
Big Roy — glad you like it. My blog is entirely custom designed really, using Blogger (ssh…don’t tell anyone). It was designed off of my website though, which is why it’s fairly custom looking, although it’s not exactly some radical website design. Phew, I’ve confused myself.
Wendy Piersall said
Impressive for
Chris Cree said
I found a good traffic builder in StumbleUpon a while back. The good thing about that is you can develop community with folks who have similar interests. Then you are referring your stuff to folks who are much more inclined to actually read it. And because they share your interest, you don’t have to feel bad about a self referral.
My traffic has gone up considerably since I started with it.
Sasha Manuel said
Hi to Rick, Wendy and Ben!
Wendy: I do love low-rise jeans. But skinnies are sexier. Hehehe. Either kind doesn’t do wonders on my arse, though. Sadly.
Ben: I don’t. =P How good do you look? Anyway, who’s Basil? =)
Wendy Piersall said
Hey - where’d my comment go?! :?
Joe said
Hey Big Roy, I usually watch Imus while I’m reading my E-mail.
Hey Sasha, You can’t be too new, you found open mic night…
@ Cat, I’ve seen some of your work, you got it.
@ Chris & Ben, you wrote the posts, reap the glory.
I’m tired of playing catch-up to the comments…
Ben Yoskovitz said
Reddit is definitely less tech-oriented than digg and del.icio.us. So it might work for the non-tech blogs out there at generating good traffic, and hopefully sustainable traffic.
I’d say my traffic has generally increased using Reddit from some of my topic-focused posts — like the one about being an entrepreneur for 10 years. That did nicely and I think some of that traffic stuck around at least.
Overall, I’d say most of those social bookmarking sites cause the same phenomenon when you hit it: big spikes and then zzz…
Still fun to watch 3,500 people visit your site in a couple days. But in the end that’s not what it’s all about.
Big Roy said
This was the first headline for a post on my blog:
Is Tom Cruise’s Baby Ugly?
Wendy Piersall said
ROFL Big Roy
Service Untitled - Douglas said
StumbleUpon looks interesting. I’m going to check it out.
Liz, that post did okay. It got some extra traffic to Service Untitled - not a ton, but some. :)
Ben Yoskovitz said
Sasha - Ok the truth is out there, I’d look terrible in skinny jeans. *sigh*
Basil is a code-writing donkey that’s traveling the globe with the Fawlty Towers DVDs visiting people. Anyone can sign up and join the community. Just click my name to visit the site or click here: Where Is Basil?
Chris — it’s interesting you mention StumbleUpon. I’ve gotten traffic from there but not because of my doing. I’ll look at it more tomorrow.
Susan Reynolds said
I am SO out of sync in this conversation!
- So, welcome to all the new folks
- Thanks for the link Joe - you are on top of it
- And I apologize to everyone who’s comments I missed
- Liz, you throw quite a soiree’
Service Untitled - Douglas said
I bet that got a lot of traffic, Big Roy.
ME Strauss said
Doug,
I guess that trafffic on that post might be because we all know that there are too many morons in customer service. You’re an oxymoron. :)
Chris Cree said
Susan, Don’t feel bad. El Dorado is on AMC and I keep running back and forth. Fortunately TIVO is catching Eureka for me for later. I wouldn’t want to try to watch that and this. I’d end up disappearing from here completely until it was over.
ME Strauss said
Susan,
You should call a Time Warp, That’s the official response.
Ben Yoskovitz said
Interesting…somehow Where Is Basil? must be on StumbleUpon…traffic has gone up 5 fold today without me noticing. Is that your doing Chris? *smile*
ME Strauss said
Chris,
How many comments do you think that ElDorado would be?
Big Roy said
It was my first post on my blog ever. I do try to write interesting ones. Another good one was:
Kofi Annan is an Idiot
Rick said
When I was playing with Linux I went to Slashdot quite a bit. I still check out http://www.newsforge.com for Linux news.
Susan, I think it was Susan, talked about http://www.gather.com as a place to check out, too.
Ben Yoskovitz said
Big Roy - going controversial can’t be a bad thing for blog traffic, if you can back it up with quality points that create conversation around the “in your face” blog titles…
I tend not to be too controversial in my blog, although my real estate post stirred some debate.
It’s a valid approach and I hope it works out for you!
ME Strauss said
BY the way Ben, where have you been? Basil was getting some spammy trackbacks. Are those his Shrek friends looking for him?
Susan Reynolds said
re #161, Wendy - Basil ate your comment
Service Untitled - Douglas said
Liz,
I have been in an oxymoron stage lately. For something related to blogging, I suggested doing a press release stating that something new was happening. I was quickly reminding that was an oxymoron.
I’ve had a few others as well.
Ben Yoskovitz said
Liz — what do you mean, where have I been? Tonight? Was putting the kid to bed.
In terms of the spammy trackbacks you mean the ones on the Where Is Basil site?
I took care of those I think, by setting up Askimet yesterday.
Chris Cree said
Dude! Would I be involved with any level of shameless self promotion? *he asks with mock indignation* ;)
Sasha Manuel said
Thanks, Chris. Yes — clothes are important! So, excuse your wives when they go out shopping alright? =)
And you do have a point, Joe. But it was because of Liz! Who doesn’t know uber-nice Liz anyway? Hehehe.
Ben: Thanks. I’ll definitely check that one out. Your suggestions aren’t bad. I particularly like number 1. Hahaha.
ME Strauss said
Web press releases are still a good idea. I’m think you should get a second opinuion on your press release idea. Some folks are too Web2.0 They’re throwing away the good stuff that still working.
Wendy Piersall said
Susan! Funny!!
Service Untitled - Douglas said
Askimet is a gift from the blogging god(s). It catches a majority of the spam my blog sees. I think it has caught something like 300 spam comments since I started using it.
Becky McCray said
Howdy, Ben!
Hi, LIz and everybody!
Hellow from Oklahoma
Big Roy said
Well with me you are either an Imus fan or you hate him…I may get some traffic that stops in from a google search but in the long run it’s going to be fans of the Imus Show….if you’re not a fan the site doesn’t make a lot of sense..though it does deal with a lot of political stuff. I hope to increase the political stuff more as time goes on.
Ben Yoskovitz said
Woohoo! Shameless self-promotion! Rock on!
Chris — I do plan on doing more for the participants on Where Is Basil; the map was just one thing.
I’m thinking of photo albums online, more lists going to your blogs, etc. Have to come up with some creative ideas.
Starbucker told me to design a Where Is Basil badge, which I’ve done. It’s in “beta” right now (cause being in beta is cool.)
I’ll show you all soon once I tweak it a wee bit.
cat said
I use StumbleUpon for research. I’m responsible for Creative Latitude’s resources so I set it to Gdesign and surrounding subjects then stumble until I’ve gone through what’s available.
The findings are much better than google most times as they are not swamped with those who are good at SEO and not much else.
Rick said
Hi Becky! Another time zone heard from!
Joe said
Hey, Liz, I was going to call Time Warp!!!
I’m a SLOOOOOW reader… ;-)
ME Strauss said
Wendy you have to watch Basil. He really does like to eat comments and then when he burps OHMYGOD!!!!
Susan Reynolds said
Hi Becky. Glad to see you. I always meet the best people here.
Big Roy said
My last post was meant for Ben..or anyone else.
I am still new at this real time blogging.
Chris Cree said
Sasha, Clothes are more important for some folks than for others, I think.
Me, I look my best fully clothed. That’s probably why I didn’t last very long at 25 Peeps.com! Too much clothing.
Service Untitled - Douglas said
Liz, I don’t know. The guy who said no is quite knowledgeable about all related to blogging. His name begins with a J and we both know him. :P
Ben Yoskovitz said
Hey Becky! Welcome aboard!
I’m still a fan of press releases online. We use them for my company. Just recently got a client because of that press release getting picked up by another source. They’re relatively easy and inexpensive to do.
Web 2.0 can be a lot of gobbly-gook like anything tech-oriented. It’s a good principle/concept misused and massacred by people who are jumping on a bandwagon.
Plus, I know of a company that just started (name escapes me at the moment) that’s doing press releases JUST to bloggers. Go figure.
Wendy Piersall said
Becky are you really a liquor store owner, rancher and blogger?! Too cool!
Becky McCray said
I am astounded the mileage that Ben has gotten out of ol’ Basil.
ME Strauss said
Hi Becky!!
Thanks for coming,
What’s happening in OK-LA-HO-MA?
Becky McCray said
Wendy, you are quick on that research!
Ben Yoskovitz said
Big Roy - the conversations here usually get pretty darn hectic.
I would think you’d get some “Imus-haters” on your blog, if such a thing exists trying to stir the pot…no?
Wendy Piersall said
I have to write a press release for my BlogJolt project this week. Any tips on how to get it out and about in front of the right eyes?
Becky McCray said
Why does everyone burst into song when they say Oklahoma?
Susan Reynolds said
Big Roy, this is insane, isn’t it?
Wendy Piersall said
Becky - what ELSE comes to mind besides the cheesy song?? ;)
Ben Yoskovitz said
Wendy — what’s BlogJolt? (Asking without looking, I know!)
The business I mentioned is from Noah Kagan at okdork.com — http://theweblogwire.com.
It’s about putting press releases out to bloggers directly.
I haven’t used it, but Noah’s a cool/interesting guy.
Becky McCray said
Given the theme tonight, I guess I should share something from my liquor inventory. What does everyone want? Mojitos?
Big Roy said
Yes Susan it is.
Ben I don’t mind Imus haters. I can be critical sometimes my self.
Ben Yoskovitz said
Becky — Basil is getting some nice mileage, he’s going to be traveling far and wide. If you mean mileage in terms of riches for me, well…not yet…*chuckle*…that Donkey is one expensive donkey to send traveling. 1st class everything.
Fun as heck though.
Meanwhile, no one new has signed up this evening. Ahem. Hello?
Joe said
Big Roy,
If you think this is real time, you must be in the proverbial TIME WARP!!!
ME Strauss said
Becky
Folks burst into song because almost every high school does a performance of the musical.
I love that you’re a liquor store owner, always a friend to a saloonkeeper’s daughter.
Wendy Piersall said
I started a project in which a group of mom bloggers ‘gang up’ on one blog a week, flood it with inbound links, traffic and social bookmarks. Then when that person get’s their “jolt” we move on to the next blog and jolt up her. Works quite well to raise visibility on Technorati and Google.
Chris Cree said
Becky, (First I like your blog, Welcome to our little corner of craziness.) Ben just had a run of the mill good idea. His genius is that he’s running with it. I’m glad he’s let me be a part of it.
It is fun to brag about your city. Or at least the city you live in. Hmmmm…..
Ben Yoskovitz said
Ok I just read about BlogJolt.
It seems like press releases to bloggers makes perfect sense. If you try the service Wendy, tell Noah I sent you.
Becky McCray said
Oklahoma–also known for oil, cattle, James Garner, Reba McEntyre, Garth Brooks, Indians/Native Americans, wheat, the Chisholm Trail, the Trail of Tears, (I could go on all night)
ME Strauss said
Ben,
A badge? really . . . everyone seems to have that idea lately. Are you going to shape it like Basil?
Service Untitled - Douglas said
I still believe in press releases too. All of this blogging stuff is good, but press releases are great. :P
Wendy Piersall said
I’ll take a Pinot Grigio with some brie, thank you very much :)
Ben Yoskovitz said
I can vouch for Becky too. Great blog. I’ve been reading it regularly for awhile now. And I even commented a few times (I’m far from shy when it comes to comments.)
Is owning a liquor store fun?
Here they’re government run so it’s a different story, although you can buy beer + wine in any grocery store or convenience store (what they call “depanneurs” in French.)
Big Roy said
I went to Susan’s site and saw a picture if an attractive sophisticated lady. I read the first sentence in her latest post and she is talking about Naked Art, surprise.
Becky McCray said
Ah, we have an excellent Pinot Grigio in stock….Let me see….Cavit, from Italy! Most excellent. Just stay away from their Pinot Noir. It’s not so good.
Advice Librarian said
Uh, hi, sorry I’m late- I had to get a batch of bread out of the oven and then my computer decided now would be a good time to run 9 different MS updates…
Sasha Manuel said
Hi, Becky. =)
Service Untitled - Douglas said
The government runs Canadian liquor stores? I didn’t know that.
Chris Cree said
Ben, Don’t let Liz dissuade you. I’d wear a Basil Badge with honor. (Of course I might have to put Jack in the alt text.) :lol:
Service Untitled - Douglas said
Does it say “Department of Drunkenness” on the door?
Ben Yoskovitz said
Liz — ya, badges aren’t terribly original at this point are they? Still I think it could be kind of cute if the people who sign up at Where Is Basil? will use it.
And no, it’s not in the shape of Basil, although that might be pretty funny. Hard to pull off graphically when you want to keep the badge fairly small though.
Joe said
Just give me a beer… (hic)
Chris Cree said
Is it next door to the “Ministry of Silly Walks”?
Becky McCray said
Hi, Sasha. Anything I can get for you from the liquor store tonight? This is the only way I can be so generous.
And yes, Ben, the store is all kinds of fun!
Rick said
Hey AdLib!
It could be worse, Ben. Here in Pennsylvania the state government hasn’t given up control of liquor since prohibition. You have to go to a state store for anything but beer. Beer you have to get at a special dealer. Nothing alcoholic in grocery stores. Period.
Ben Yoskovitz said
Doug — it’s true.
In some provinces, like Ontario, they also run what are called Beer Stores.
At least in Quebec you can buy wine and beer pretty much anywhere. In Ontario you have to go to government-run operations.
Sasha Manuel said
Hear! Hear! Beeeer!
But I do love a good glass or two of red wine.
Joe said
Chris, that’s Monty Python, NOT Fawltey Towers.
Service Untitled - Douglas said
I’m used to Florida and New Jersey where the government has nothing to do with liquor stores. So weird.
Big Roy said
My Wifes Grandmother owned a liquor store during a part of her life. She has many fond memories of it. I love to listen to her stories.
Advice Librarian said
Sounds a bit like Norway - anything beyond the alcohol content of beer you have to go to the government liquor store to get.
Legacy of centuries of Puritan disapproval of alcohol, mostly.
Sasha Manuel said
Becky, me want Stella Artois! =)
Ben Yoskovitz said
Muhaha…someone here just signed up for Where Is Basil after I attacked you all with hot pokers. No one can resist my hot…wait a second…nevermind.
Thanks!
Oh another tidbit about booze — in Quebec the liquor stores are called SAQs. And the price of wine in Quebec is significantly higher than in Ontario (the province right next door.) Why? Because of the taxes. So they have all sorts of issues with people crossing the border to buy wine. It’s plain stupid.
And Becky - I’ll have…hmmm…don’t feel like anything sweet at this point…gin & tonic might be nice.
Joe said
Rick,
Where in PA? Basil is coming here, so maybe I can just drive him to your house. ;-)
Susan Reynolds said
Big Roy - I have diverse interests :^)
Chris Cree said
C’mon Joe, “Drunkenness” –> “Silly Walks”. It was a little funny!
ME Strauss said
Ronco Cucco. Ronco Cucco.
I love that wine.
Wendy Piersall said
Ben - I didn’t miss your hint. I’m on the List now…
What have I gotten myself into?! :)
Service Untitled - Douglas said
I know, Chris! It just went over everyone’s head.
Becky McCray said
Every state is different on liquor laws, and in Texas, every county is different!
We have some new beers….let’s see…..Joe, You sound like a Lost Lake man! Sasha, sorry no Stella Artois, I’ll special order it for you.
And a fine whisky for Big Roy! Maybe Woodford Reserve
Chris Cree said
Hey AdLib! I missed you sneaking in. Didn’t realize you had one in the oven.
Big Roy said
Same in North Carolina…you can buy beer anywhere but liquor you have to get from an ABC store..Alcohol Beverage Control…They make it sound very important.
Ben Yoskovitz said
Sasha — I’ve been drinking Stella Artois lately too. I swear while I was in Vancouver on vacation and over-eating, I had a couple of Stellas that settled my stomach.
Beer…that settles your stomach…go figure.
Usually I prefer something a bit dark — Newcastle, Sleemans Honey Brown…
ME Strauss said
Ad Lib,
Great to see you.
You missed Scorpia. She reviews games for PC gaming. We were talking about you earlier in the evening. :)
Rick said
Monaca, just north of Pittsburgh. I don’t get out of town much and thought he would be pretty bored here, unless he likes movies. Maybe I could put him to work at the concession counter!
Big Roy said
Susan you seem to. I will be exploring your site later looking for naked art.
Joe said
Becky,
Coors Extra Golden Lager…
Sasha Manuel said
Aw, man… :’(
Chris Cree said
The best was moving down south and finding out they had drive through windows at some of the liquor stores. Hello?
Wendy Piersall said
Holy cow, I can’t believe I’ve been doing this for almost two hours! I have to get to work! :(
Thanks everyone - BBS!
Becky McCray said
Good ones, Ben!
Service Untitled - Douglas said
How can the acronym ABC sound important? When you spell it out, it does, but not ABC by itself.
ME Strauss said
Good night, Wendy!
Thanks for coming. It’s been great getting to know you. I hope to have that cup of coffee. Email me and I’ll give you my phone number.
Advice Librarian said
Mmm, every now and then I run off a batch of bread - it’s a bit more work than buying from the store, but fresh bread hot from the oven is one of life’s great pleasures. Even if it takes hours to make.
Ben Yoskovitz said
Drive throughs at the liquor store. Yup. ‘Nuff said.
Good night Wendy…addictive ain’t it? *smile*
Rick — Basil won’t be bored, put him to work so he can pay off his huge travel costs!
Susan Reynolds said
Ooooh Wendy, by the time Basil comes to visit you he’ll be bringing along “Flat Basil” (You know the Flat Stanley books?) Basil claims that he needs a flat alter ego for posing at the sites his hosts drag him around to.
Rick said
Good night, Wendy. It does draw you in. Addictive, you could say, in a good way.
ME Strauss said
What do you mean, Doug? When you spell it out? ABC?
Joe said
Nite Wendy
Sasha Manuel said
Ben, I’ve had no problems with Stellas. I miss it real bad since we don’t have it here in my country. /sighs
I like a good German beer, too! I had the opportunity to taste the Hofbrau Original at last year’s Oktoberfest in Australia.
Ben Yoskovitz said
Susan’s going to work her magic on Basil…turn him into a piece of art. Naked art? Stay tuned!
Joe said
Rick,
That was me… Live right outside Philly
Ben Yoskovitz said
Where are you located Sasha?
Sasha Manuel said
G’night, Wendy!
Ben: Manila, Philippines! Ever been to this part of the world? Or Basil perhaps?
Ben Yoskovitz said
Sasha — I’ve been to Bali, Indonesia — a few years back for my wife’s brother’s wedding. Beautiful place.
Basil’s going to Australia, but that’s the closest so far. Feel free to invite him over if you want to sign up. I’m sure he’d love the Philippines!
ME Strauss said
Susan,
You are too good, to all of us. What a wonderful person you are. Basil doesn’t deserve you. He misbehaves too much. :)
Joe said
Liz,
I don’t think you ever listed the Countries represented here. That sounds like an International Post to me.
Becky McCray said
Sorry to drink and run!
Enjoy the beer, everyone!
Sasha Manuel said
Well, Indonesia’s close enough. Never been there though. Hahaha.
I’ll definitely look into getting Basil to visit this beautiful country. *aherm* I can be biased about that, though. Hahaha.