July 22, 2008
The Mic is On: We’re Talking about Creative Networking!
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.
There are always first timers and new things to talk about. It’s sort of half “Cheers” part “Friends” and part video game. You don’t know how much fun it is until you try it.
Social Networking Taking Too Much Time?
Are you spending lots of time social networking, but starting to wonder whether it’s worth the time you’re investing? Do you have lots of friends, but don’t seem to be getting closer to where you want to be going? We’re going to explore other ways to share what you’re up to.
Tonight it’s about creative networking:
- how to get the most out of Twitter conversation
- how an eBook might help build your reputation
- the idea of ezines and manifestoes
- guest posts and writing projects
- other ways to get your ideas out there
ahem . . .
And, whatever else comes up, including THE EVER POPULAR, Basil the code-writing donkey . . . and flamenco dancing (because we always get off topic, anyway.)
Oh, and bring example links to share.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
image: sxc.hu
Related article
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283 Comments to “The Mic is On: We’re Talking about Creative Networking!”
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Trisha said
Hello! How are you doing?
I don’t seem to be getting ‘to where I want to be going’! What do I do?
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
HI Liz!
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Trisha!
Where is it that you want to be going?
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi glenda!
I’m with you on finding time to learn a new language.
Todd Jordan said
Hey all!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
I am taking Caroline Middlebrook’s Stumble Rush course to finally learn how to use that tool properly. I was doing it all wrong. That could have real potential.
ME Liz Strauss said
Hey Mr. Jordan!
How good to see you!
Trisha said
I want more readers and subscribers!
I also want to learn a new language and haven’t had time for that either. I think I’d like to try that rosetta stone software, but it is pretty expensive.
Todd Jordan said
So what’s the best way to make use of or get the most out of Twitter conversation? I’d say the best way is to use it for real conversation vs just dropping the hellos and goodbyes on folks.
Todd Jordan said
Trisha,
I’m with you on all those fronts. I so need a partner.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Awesome Liz. Todd had a preview a few weeks ago.
Trisha said
I signed up for the free version of Stumble Rush but haven’t had time to read it yet.
So, I guess what I really want is more time. Anyone know how to get more time?
ME Liz Strauss said
Trisha,
Have you thought about doing a guest post for someone like me?
Todd Jordan said
<—- I so need to check out other ebooks and see if I’ve really got anything to contribute that’s unique.
ME Liz Strauss said
Glenda,
What’s the most important thing you’ve picked up so far?
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Trisha, I think it comes down to priorities. What’s most important to you?
Todd Jordan said
Glenda,
Howdy there my Canadian friend.
Trisha said
yes, I have thought a lot about doing guest posts - and you are on my list of people I was going to ask. I need to get my house in order so to speak first I think.
ME Liz Strauss said
Todd,
You’re moving so fast on the questions. I can’t keep up! What’s your goal?
Trisha said
Todd - I think you are right about twitter. And did you know that KMOV has a twitter account now?
Todd Jordan said
Guest posts sounds like a wonderful idea. Wow Trisha, another place you and I are alike. I’m a serious slacker lately.
ME Liz Strauss said
Trisha,
Do you have a strong old blog post that you can submit to an ezine site or two?
Becky McCray said
Howdy, all!
Todd, I know you have a plan! Glad to see you excited about converting it to action.
Karen Putz / DeafMom said
I came over here via Tojosan’s Twitter link! Hi all!
Todd Jordan said
Trisha, I’m following Fox2 on Twitter. I’ll have to check out KMOV.
Liz, you’ve hit the nail on the head. My goals are all over the place.
Why not dream big? I’d love to spend my time just writing about social aspects of the internet, and consulting in that area.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Liz, I’ve picked up much and I’ve only on Lesson Six. Most important -probably stumbling everyday and being cautious what you thumb up, don’t thumb up your own or the same few too often - that does more harm than good.
Karen Putz / DeafMom said
Hey Glenda, what’s this about you being in the Chicago Sun Times? I couldn’t find it.
Trisha said
Glenda - the problem with priorities is sorting out the long term vs short term goals and what I have to do and what I need to do.
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Becky!
Great to see you this fine evening!
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Karen!
Great to have you here too!
Todd Jordan said
Glenda,
Stumbling stuff is a good practice. I need to get back in the habit. There is so much good stuff to share, and a lot of it by folks I know already.
ME Liz Strauss said
Todd,
I’ve come to the conclusion the smartest short term strategy is focus. It helps people see who we are. Then, once they do, we can expand from there.
Joe said
Hey Liz,
Hey All,
I just want to know if I ask a simple question on Twitter or Plurk, I get one maybe two responses, but if Some Un-named man from Australia asks the same exact question he gets 500 responses?
Trisha said
Todd - what do you need or want a partner for?
(I’m not keeping up too well tonight!)
Trisha said
I don’t know of any ezine sites that I could send something into.
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Joe!
We never feel good when we compare ourselves to other people. You know that’s so.
Todd Jordan said
Joe, howdy!
Trisha, I really need someone to bug me, like a coach, and help me drill on things. Like for learning Spanish or some other new skill.
What’s sadly missing is the ability for me to effectively use social networking and social media tools to learn a language. It’s still more cost and time effective (however expensive) to go with a proven product, i.e. Rosetta.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
TRisha, do you know about SMART goals?
ME Liz Strauss said
Todd,
Write up that guest post and get it to me.
Todd Jordan said
Joe,
About the question stuff. I ask questions and feel happy to get half a dozen responses. Not sure why that is versus someone more big name.
One guess though is that folks hope to get noticed by someone like a Chris Brogan, and some of his star power will rub off.
Todd Jordan said
Liz,
Thanks! I’ll open a window so I won’t forget.
Glenda, Can I have a quick dance before the other guys grab you up?
Trisha said
Joe - yes, I noticed that if ‘Some Un-named man from Australia’ tweets or posts anything, everyone listens and responds. Kind of like E.F. Hutton. (if anyone else here is old enough to know that reference)
Karen Putz / DeafMom said
Joe, dear, you just have to build up your audience until you hit 500 responders.
Becky McCray said
I wholeheartedly recommend guest posting on Liz’s site.
ME Liz Strauss said
Becky,
Did that series do good things for your blog and your visibility?
Becky McCray said
Keys to getting responses when you ask questions:
1. follow up with the people who do respond. Start conversations.
2. Persist. Keep asking. Ask again later. Rephrase the question.
3. Share your results, and talk about it.
Todd Jordan said
Karen,
Boy howdy! Good to see you here again.
Joe,
Am I following you on Twitter? And if I am, don’t be afraid to ask me directly if you don’t see me chiming in. I love when folks pester me on Twitter with questions and such.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
sure Todd! Tho I’m not sure “before the other guys grab you up” sounds great. My poor rep
Trisha said
Todd - I figured if I ever learned enough from something like Rosetta stone I could find web sites with forums or something so I could find people to practice with.
Todd Jordan said
Becky,
Good evening.
The conversation is really going now.
Trisha said
Yes, Glenda I do know about SMART goals and even posted about that a while back. But it seems like I set a goal, but can’t reach it.
ME Liz Strauss said
#46
Becky,
That’s a great blog post . . .
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Karen, I tried posting the Sun Times link, but WordPress spat out the comment. I’ll email it - was just a repost, thanks to BlogBurst.
Karen Putz / DeafMom said
Trisha, welcome to my life. I have a pile of goals sitting in the corner of my office. Uncompleted, of course.
Becky McCray said
Liz, it did boost my visibility, especially because it was a series, and built on two popular blogs finally linking back to me. It wasn’t a huge traffic builder. More of a recognition builder.
Here’s how I got good guest posting opportunities: I announced on Twitter that I was willing to do some guest articles. Then followed up, and actually wrote some articles that fit together.
Todd Jordan said
I don’t know why I don’t knuckle down and get Rosetta. I’ve no problem spending money on a skilled plumber or electrician.
I’m Todd, and I’m afraid. I’m afraid of failure. That fear has probably kept me more from fun and success than any one person outside myself.
ME Liz Strauss said
Glenda!
“Just a repost” ??? You’re in a major newspaper. Cool!
Robert Hruzek said
Howdy Liz! Howdy y’all!
A tip o’ the hat to everybody tonight!
Karen Putz / DeafMom said
Glenda, you’re famous if you make the Sun Times.
Karen Putz / DeafMom said
Hey, Robert! My favorite twenty-gallon hat guy!
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Robert!
Welcome to a Tuesday night without Morrie.
Karen Putz / DeafMom said
Gotta zip, have a meeting with a parent tonight. Have fun all!!!
ME Liz Strauss said
Night, Karen!
Todd Jordan said
Gratz Glenda! Woot. How awesome to get in the Times.
Hi Robert.
Becky, Thanks for the bit about how guest blogging helped move you along. And how to get the opportunity.
Liz, The house is a rockin!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Trisha, perhaps your goals aren’t meaningful enough or are too big??
Robert Hruzek said
Howdy, Karen! Liz, I guess I missed that one. Um, who’s Morris? (Is he Basil’s stand-in?)
ME Liz Strauss said
Trisha,
Gotta set more incremental goals and make sure you keep them. It builds confidence to do that and people sense the new confidence in you. Starts a whole process going.
Todd Jordan said
G’night Karen.
Trisha said
Todd - you can’t be more afraid than I am of things
Trisha said
Becky - has guest posting gotten you more subscribers? Links?
ME Liz Strauss said
Todd,
I think you’re in a perfect situation to do what you aspire to. The big thing is to DO something, even something small. That way you get results and try something more.
Robert Hruzek said
See ya, Karen! Howdy, Todd!
Trisha said
BlogBurst - I starting using it a while back but I am a little concerned about duplicate content.
Todd Jordan said
Thanks Trisha.
You know what helps? Stepping through that to do something like putting a blog page or post together and getting some hits
But it’s like a long journey. It’s not that every step is easy or difficult, it’s that we keep taking them.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Thanks everyone. I didn’t realize getting in the Chicago Sun-Times was a big deal deal, tho I did print it out to stick in my portfolio!
Trisha said
goals - one I set was to get more subscribers. maybe that was a bad goal to set. Tina Su set that as a goal though and had no problem with it. But - I guess we shouldn’t compare ourselves?
ME Liz Strauss said
So Todd,
Are you taking your own advice . . . regarding your big dream?
Trisha said
Glenda - did they include a link to your blog? I hope they did.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Trisha, i’m not sure but this might be the first post to get picked up via BlogBurst so duplicate content may not be a problem. No worse than splogs!
ME Liz Strauss said
Trisha,
Do you know the quote from “The Little Prince”
A goal without a plan is a wish.
Did you have a plan on how to increase subscriptions?
ME Liz Strauss said
Shall we make a plan now?
Todd Jordan said
Liz,
Honestly I’ve been struggling. I’ve decided I’m better at taking steps than promising too take them. Ha.
I need to spend more time around folks that help me see that dream and remind me of it. On the flip side, I enjoy supporting others in their dream pursuits.
I’ve given up the goal of more subscribers. It’s too vague. Likewise more hits. Had 85 hits today on the blog, but most of them were for a post I wrote on Pathwords, a word game on Facebook. Go figure.
Trisha said
@Glenda - I’m thinking most of the posts they reprint are buried kind of deep in those sites so that SE’s will find our copy first. And congratulations!
ME Liz Strauss said
Todd and Trisha,
The way to get more subscribers is to ask them and to give them a reason to subscribe.
Becky McCray said
Guest posting did get me some incoming links (6 when I stopped counting). I tracked 20 incoming readers to my blog. My subscribers probably went up by about 10-20, around 725 at that time. Those numbers aren’t earth-shattering. But I don’t think that was the point.
DON’T expect instant world changes from guest posting. View it as a layering process. You’ve added a new layer to the world’s awareness of you.
ME Liz Strauss said
Becky,
That sounds like a LOT of commitment from a single guest post. Very cool!
Becky McCray said
OK, gotta run! Farm duty calls. Will try to drop back in later.
Todd, major respect to you for your openness!
Todd Jordan said
Speaking of subscribers…only about 40. It goes up and down.
Joe said
Speaking of Duplicate content. has anyone besides me and Liz been scraped by “Did You Rob Bill Gates”?
It seems to happen for EVERY post these days/
Trisha said
I did have a plan - sort of. Maybe I need a better one. I made sure the subscribe button was big and at the top of the page. I added the option of email subscribing. I need a page to explain what subscribing is still. I’ve been trying to write better.
Todd Jordan said
yeah, open mic cross network. Woot.
Becky, catch you later, and thanks again for sharing intimately about your experience.
ME Liz Strauss said
Bye Becky!
Hope to see you later!
ME Liz Strauss said
So Todd and Trisha,
Do you have a “sign up for my feed” notice on your blog for first time visitors or at the bottom of every post?
Todd Jordan said
By the by, I made Alltop.com finally.
I’m on the http://utterati.alltop.com/ page.
ME Liz Strauss said
How about adding your blog url and “Sign up for my feed” to your email signature?
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
I should have thought of this before. See if this works http://tinyurl.com/64m3fw
Trisha said
I was thinking about adding something at the end of posts asking people to subscribe.
What’s a good reason to give people to subscribe?
ME Liz Strauss said
Congratulations, Todd!
On the utterati!!
Trisha said
I haven’t added a subscribe thing to my emails yet either.
Todd Jordan said
Liz,
Great idea. That’s why I like having you along for the ride. Seems obvious but apparently I’m not doing it. DOH.
And it’s an easy change to make…
ME Liz Strauss said
Sign up for the ones that you like and make sure your blog url is there . . . http://www.searchenginepeople.com/blog/22-dofollow-social-media-sites-offering-profile-links.html
ME Liz Strauss said
Are both of you on Twitterfeed.com ?
That’s how everyone gets every blog post automatically on Twitter.
Go sign up right now.
Trisha said
I didn’t know any SM sites had do follow on them
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Trisha, some bloggers bribe readers with a free ebook if they subscribe.
But really, what does more subscribers get you? If you put the whole post in your feed, they don’t need to visit your blog to read your post. Others unsub if you don’t include the whole post. What to do?
ME Liz Strauss said
Trisha,
I’m just font of trival knowledge. It comes in handy at times like this.
Trisha said
I didn’t know about that Liz - I’ll try that!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Liz, does your blog not like my links any more? ;(
Trisha said
I thought about bribing but I don’t know what I’d bribe with. Plus, what’s really the point if they aren’t actually reading?
I include the full posts in the feed, because that’s how I like to read them.
ME Liz Strauss said
Glenda,
I disagree. Subscribers often read what you’re doing and tell others about it.
And now with FriendFeed they can comment too.
If you’re all not on FriendFeed.com sign up now. Follow me so that I know you’re there and I can follow you.
You’ll be in my stream then and everyone who follows my feed will know when you post something.
Write great headlines and they’ll check you out.
Robert Hruzek said
… and I’m back. Liz, I signed up for Twitterfeed, but must have blooped it up or something. I doesn’t work for me. Was it something I said?
Todd Jordan said
Just did up the Twitterfeed.com.
More subscribers is about more conversation and spread of ideas. I’d rather have subscribers I think than more visitors. BUt both I wouldn’t turn away.
ME Liz Strauss said
I got it out, Glenda!
I don’t know why sometimes it does the false positive thing on a random comment, even when there’s tiny link in it.
Trisha said
I have a FriendFeed account, but haven’t been by there too much lately
Todd Jordan said
my feed has full posts. that’s too how I like them in feeds I get.
I’m on Friendfeed.
I really enjoy that both as a reader of feeds and for the social aspects.
Really widening my circle from there, and a good headline will get the hits.
I had a few posts where most hits were from Friendfeed.
Facebook has to be the worst to try to get hits from.
ME Liz Strauss said
Great article, Glenda!
Wow!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
thanks for that correction, Liz!
I’ve been leery to sign up for FriendFeed. Scared to get sucked into yet another vortex.
And great headlines is where I suck!
Todd Jordan said
Now if I could get my friends/family/etc to check out the blog once in a while…
Trisha said
I haven’t quite figured out the Twitterfeed instructions yet, I may have to do that tomorrow.
ME Liz Strauss said
Oh Todd,
You’ll never get family to read . . .
Trisha said
I haven’t been able to get friends or family to read mine either!
ME Liz Strauss said
Trisha,
The easiest way to get the right feed url is to go to your blog and click the organize button, then take it from the browser address line.
Todd Jordan said
Liz,
That’s why I’m recruiting my online family. Ha. Folks that at least understand me, even if we don’t always dig each other.
Robert Hruzek said
Hey y’all, I’m sorry to say I gotta go - thought I’d have more time tonight, but there it is.
Have a great evening, Liz, Todd, Glenda, Becky, Trisha and Joe. See ya in the funny pages!
Jeff Sable said
Liz,
I usually forget to stop by and say hello but tonight I remembered. Hello!
jeff
Joe said
Todd,
I can’t even get family to read hauckes.com the Family Blog!
ME Liz Strauss said
Good night, Robert!
ME Liz Strauss said
Hiya! Jeff!
Jeff are you on Twitter and FriendFeed?
Trisha said
But what’s an ‘OpenID’?
I just got 2 comments on my gardening blog though!
Todd Jordan said
Robert, good to meet you and hook up on twitter.
Hiya Jeff.
I’m tojosan on Twitter, Friendfeed, Utterz, gmail, etc. Find me and hook up!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Found this Chris Brogan post on his strategy for tweeting posts http://tinyurl.com/5cvmlf which I’m trying out. Today I didn’t need to request a stumble. Joanna Young did it before I asked.
Trisha said
Good-bye Robert!
Trisha said
I’ve been trying entrecard out too
Timothy Johnson said
For creative networking, has anybody suggested running naked through wedding receptions yet? (If so, let me know how that worked for you.)
Oh, and “hi” everybody!!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
ugh, the blog spat out my comment again. Liz, would you mind fishing it out please?
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Tim!
That naked thing is so 5 minutes ago. . . .
Trisha said
It’s all very much a time thing though. I need to seriously consider setting aside time to write and do just that. And use twitter, etc. at other times.
But just keeping up with writing (which I’m slow at) and replying to comments and emails and then doing the social media stuff - its all over whelming.
Todd Jordan said
Howdy Tim and you missed my running naked through the rain days. we won’t talk about how long ago.
Tell me more about entrecard and why I should be using it.
ME Liz Strauss said
Trisha,
Do you have a blogger login, a yahoo email login, a wordpress login. Those are all open IDs that you can use at TwitterFeed as your ID. The OpenID is to prove that you’re you.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Hi Mr T. Streaking at a football game would have more viewers. Depends on your niche tho.
Trisha said
And that’s not including the ‘administrative’ type of stuff. I still need to upgrade my WP add some plugins, etc.
Todd Jordan said
Glenda,
it’s about quality of the folks watching.
Trisha said
oh, yeah, I have wordpress one, i never use it though, I’ll have to look it up
Timothy Johnson said
Well, you know, Miss Glenda, it’s not football season yet. Weddings appear to abound during the summer (our 14th anniversary is tomorrow), so one must make do with what one has.
But at least I’m not the only one whose mind wanders to exhibitionism to achieve a goal.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Most definitely, Todd!
And, btw, don’t worry about family not reading - they won’t get it anyway.
ME Liz Strauss said
Trisha,
Not sure whether entrecard has an openID
Todd Jordan said
I think it might be time to take a break. The last hour and half has been info impact to the brain and lots of smiles. I’ll leave the window open though and maybe check back in a bit.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Hey MR T, I’m not above doing what it takes! Who has their domain on their car???
Trisha said
So - what are my action items from tonight?
1)Add please subscribe message to bottom of emails and end of posts.
2)Add page explaining subscribing.
3) guest posting
4)Twitterfeed.com
5) SM sites with do follow
Did I miss anything?
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Liz, thanks for saving 130.
Trisha said
I need to take a short break - have to help husband with something in garden.
ME Liz Strauss said
Sure Trisha,
Add a link to your feed at the end of each post that says, “Like this post? Subscribe to my feed.”
Timothy Johnson said
Domain on the car… hmmmm, that has potential.
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Glenda,
I can’t get the link in #130 to work. Can you check it?
Stephen said
Are you crazy?!?! Too much time? In less than 24 hours I found an expert to help me land a client and handle a consulting gig that I am barely qualified for, but can handle with the right advice.
“I don’t have friends like that.” B.S.
I do!
Stephen said
BTW, connect with me on LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/stephensmith6294
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Stephen!
Did you read the comment on the IBM post from the IBMer? He’s the Chief of Communications Strategy. Go look.
Joe said
Ok, I got Gorilla Glue on my fingers, being bitten by bugs I didn’t even know existed and am typing only by the feel of the keyboard in the dark.
Now, what?
Stephen said
I did. Very cool. He is in my next target market!
ME Liz Strauss said
BTW,Stephen,
The new site looks spectacular!!
Stephen said
The new site is getting better and better every day. By 1 August, it will be THE BOMB!
ME Liz Strauss said
Okay, fine! See if I care if you take over the blogosphere!
[big grin]
Stephen said
>>Trisha: Get the Tiny URL plugin too. I gained over 40 subs since I installed it.
I installed it yesterday.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Liz, comment with correct url was eaten again. Think I’ll stop including links!
ME Liz Strauss said
Stephen, why do you think the tinyurl plug-in gains subscribers?
Stephen said
#133 Tim Johnson: Run naked thru one of the WRs that I am managing, and I WILL take you down.
Those brides really do not appreciate that sort of thing!
Suzie Cheel said
Hello everyone- just back in after a little shopping for neice and nephew- looks like I missed a good discussion
I have friend feed and a Room in FF too
Liz I have ? about Plurk
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Suzie!
Great to see you. Whatcha thinking about PLURK?
Stephen said
[why tinyURL] Dunno, but I added that and WWSGD and subs are up! Plus I got a couple of retweets from Liz and FreshFocus.info…
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
wwsgd?
Suzie Cheel said
saw Paul chaney’s tweet the other day about Twit and Plurk- so got sidetracked and went over there- plurk that is and found I had signed up and really find it a bit confusing saw you had plurk link on you blog
how do you use it?
ME Liz Strauss said
wwsgd = What Would Seth Godin Do?
It’s the name of a plug-in
Timothy Johnson said
per #165, Don’t sweat it, little Stevie… it was purely a hypothetical answer to Liz’s question of the night.
Although I’d take on a bride any day before I’d deal with her MOTHER. (Mothers of the bride can dwarf the “bridezilla factor” exponentially.)
ME Liz Strauss said
Here’s the description and it’s probably the reason Stephen is getting more subscribers. http://www.richardkmiller.com/blog/wordpress-plugin-what-would-seth-godin-do
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
ahhhh, I’ve seen those “are you new here” messages and wondered about them.
I’ve also seen “take a guided tour”. The same plugin? Worth it?
I’ve been considering the guided tour, but wasn’t sure how to implement it.
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Glenda!
I know you can customize the message to fit your site. Don’t if that’s where the guided tour comes from or not.
Trisha said
I’m back!
I’ve heard of that plugin - I wonder if it will bug people who don’t accept cookies though. But I guess that wouldn’t be too many people.
So what does the Tiny URL plugin do?
I’d do the sign on the car thing, but I don’t drive enough for it to help.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
I’ll add it to my ever growing action plan.
Joe said
Ok, who took my social media poll today?
http://workingathomeinternet.com/WP/2008/07/21/which-social-media-service-do-you-like/
This IS about social media, right?
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
hmm, I Use aweber for my feed. Wonder if those two things play nicely together.
ME Liz Strauss said
Here’s how to do it.
http://www.knifegunpen.com/the-four-hundred-hour-workweek/
Trisha said
I voted Joe
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
me2, Joe.
Suzie Cheel said
@ Joe,
Popular poll garryconn.com did one earlier this week I looked at the list and thought I use twitter, I don’t get plurk, facebook put’s me into overwhelm, Linkedin i know I should up date and use more, after all I live with the Linked in blogger then there is other? Think Twitter, have just polled forr you
Joe said
Thank you Trisha.
Stephen said
I think that it’s the synergy of the two, because I am getting much more traffic from twitter now.
Stephen said
>>Suzie LinkedIn is the bomb!
Trisha said
I like twitter the best. LinkedIn is a pain to use I think.
Stephen said
Liz, you need a favicon
Joe said
And Glenda and Suzie.
And anyone else who took the poll.
Trisha said
So here’s my updated action plan for getting more subscribers:
1)Add please subscribe message to bottom of emails and end of posts.
2)Add page explaining subscribing.
3) guest posting
4)Twitterfeed.com
5) SM site with do follow
6) WWSGD
7)? Tiny URL plugin ? I still have to find out what this is.
Suzie Cheel said
And twitter is out in the lead.:)
Do you know about TWELLOW http://www.twellow.com/search.php?q=suzie+cheel
Stephen said
Re: that poll, I believe that people that think Twitter is better than LinkedIn are not using LinkedIn properly. See http://hdbizblog.com/blog/2008/05/30/power-tips-for-using-linked-in-to-boost-your-brand/
ME Liz Strauss said
I do find LinkedIn cumbersome, but I’m getting into using it.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Stephen, would you recommend learning Linkedln properly once I master StumbleUpon?
Suzie Cheel said
@ Stephen so I can forget Linkedin
@ Liz this is wonderful
http://www.knifegunpen.com/the-four-hundred-hour-workweek/
now how to make it stand out like that with the RSS button
Trisha said
I’ve heard of TWELLOW - but I don’t get it.
brain is overwhelmed
Sheila Scarborough said
Hi everyone,
I’m actually here well before 9:45 pm!
ME Liz Strauss said
Hey Texas Sunshine!
Stephen said
>>Suzie: Please do not give up on LinkedIn, the power of those connections is worth the time you invest.
>>Trisha: the TinyURL plugin makes the yellow box at the end of this post http://hdbizblog.com/blog/2008/07/19/group-writing-project/
>>Glenda: Bryan Kress and I are working on an e-learning course for LinkedIn. Stay tuned. But look at my profile http://www.linkedin.com/in/stephensmith6294, and Phil Gerbyshak’s - http://www.linkedin.com/in/philgerb
Phil is the MAN!
Sheila Scarborough said
I’m feeling all networky today - I was discussing a possible conference speaking engagement and the organizer wanted to know what blog syndication tools and networking tools I used.
When I finished the list, I couldn’t believe how long it was. I had to go lie prone for awhile.
Sheila Scarborough said
Stephen, thanks for that link, I bookmarked it. The LinkedIn section of our Web 2.0 Tools workshop is more popular than I’d expected.
Suzie Cheel said
Trish, all you need to to for twellow is go in and choose categories and then you tweets show there they have a nice follow me on twitter badge
Joe said
25 words
Being social is not about the service
It’s about the friendships we share
When we get together
Others’ll mess with us only if they dare.
Burma Shave
Nite Liz
Nite All
ME Liz Strauss said
Oh, Sheila,
How cool are you?!!
Isn’t it funny how we don’t realize what we know until we start answering a question . . . then we look back and go “Whoa! Did I say that much?!!!”
Stephen said
Hi Sheila, you need to get with Bryan and me, we are creating a LinkedIn GoTo that is going to ROCK!
ME Liz Strauss said
Oh fine! Everyone gets invited to work with you Stephen, but me. (whine)
Becky McCray said
OK, I’m back. I see you all have been very, very busy while I was out.
I have a guided tour, but it’s really just a post I wrote and put links to in the sidebar, and at the foot of every post.
“New here? Take the Guided Tour. Like what you see? Subscribe.” Goes on every single post.
Sheila Scarborough said
Stephen,
I should do that, I’m starting to get into LI.
What’s funny, though, is that I took my own advice to my workshops and cranked out some LI recommendations this past weekend, mostly for people in media (the Tribune and everything tanking made me feel bad for journos, many of whom might have to job-hunt soon.)
NONE of them have approved their recommendations from me, so that they’ll show in their profiles.
The recs don’t suck, either. WTF?
Suzie Cheel said
@ Stephen so I need to update linked in?
Trisha said
Suzie - thanks. I didn’t fully understand it, my brain is kind of gone tonight. I actually took notes tonight! I have a lot to follow up on now!
Sheila Scarborough said
Yo, Becky!
Becky taught me how to (occasionally) ask (very nicely) for a Stumble, using the toolbar. I hadn’t a clue.
Today, I had a guest article go up on Brazen Careerist, about the all-female video gaming team the Frag Dolls, and Comic-Con starts tomorrow in San Diego, so I’m bumping the article a bit, including using Becky’s Stumble methodology.
Yay, Becky!
ME Liz Strauss said
Becky,
This week you’re bumping, not pushing!! I like that!
Stephen said
>>Sheila - the MSM fears bloggers. Screw them. Got to http://helpareporter.com/ for the ones that ‘get’ Social Media. (Ask Dan Rather about messing with experts that know more than you.)
>>Suzie - what is your LI link? Post it here and get a bunch of new contacts. In all sorts of fields of expertise. (Again, ask Dan Rather about not getting the REAL experts on your side)
ME Liz Strauss said
Sheila,
I remember when that article was just a glimmer in your eye!
Becky McCray said
Sheila, now Glenda can tell you whether that’s right or wrong. She’s taking a course in Stumbling!
And I also gave some LinkedIn recommendations to not-as-techie people, and had them languish. The longest sat about 5 months I think before she logged back in and approved it. So you will be top of mind when they need you.
Becky McCray said
I also got some good results early from reaching out to my less-than-techie folks in my real-world network. Folks I had worked with or connected with in the economic development network. Here are two things I did that worked:
1. Sent emails to about 20 people I knew well enough to say, “Hey, you might be able to use the info I share here.”
2. Asked 2 or 3 people to do a guest article, even though they had no idea about blogs, etc. Then they automatically promoted it to their network when I gave them a link to their article.
Suzie Cheel said
I got this tweet yesterday an feed back- the mind boggles as I can’t remember what the ? was
@suziecheel Looking at feedback tools? Take a look at #UserVoice - in use by @Tweetdeck @AlertThingy @Favthumbs @99designs & @userscripts
Joe said
I feel so unwanted.
No one said good night to me ;’(
Becky McCray said
Liz, Sheila is bumping her story. I’m…. just pushy, I guess. But now I try to remind myself that I’m pushing people’s swings, just like you said.
Suzie Cheel said
that was from marcus Nelson of http://uservoice.com/
ME Liz Strauss said
Good night, Joe,
Sleepy swell.
stop frowning.
Becky McCray said
Joe, I was gone when you left! But now we’re both back!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Nightie night Joe.
Joe said
I feel so much better now.
It doesn’t take much to make me happy.
(And I thought the 25 words kinda fit in with Liz’s post)
Nite Liz,
Nite All
Stephen said
Liz, I offered to collab on a post earlier today, and you declined! I believe it had to do with Vision & Strategy vs Voting & Consensus.
Sheila Scarborough said
Stephen,
I do get Peter’s HARO email announcements (3X a day is getting old, though) and even mailed him an NHRA sticker when he asked for stickers for his Mac.
Can’t just say “screw ‘em” regarding these journos - they are very good at their profession. One is actually a tech blogger/columnist, so not sure what the deal is with his rec; he’s plugged in and should’ve seen it.
Oh, well, there’s at least one of them that I feel comfortable sending an email to in about a week and saying, “Hey, wake up!”
Sheila Scarborough said
I’ve had several non-bloggers do guest posts for me, and they did fine, including….drum roll….my own Mom.
ME Liz Strauss said
Stephen,
Darn! You got me!!
Sorry about keeping your comments locked up there I was chasing the Akisment monster.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Sheila, I’d post the link to Caroline’s course but Liz’s blog will merely eat it. Go to stumblerush dot com and start with the ten free lessons. I’m learning tons.
Becky McCray said
Sheila, I love that! My mom is an admin at my blog.
I have to blogging great-grandmothers as co-authors.
ME Liz Strauss said
Glenda,
Post the link. I’ll watch for it.
Stephen said
Yay Sheila, thanks for connecting!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
holding my breath - here it goes http://www.stumblerush.com/
Trisha said
Time for me to go to bed! I might check by here tomorrow and see if anyone gave out more useful tips!
I’ve got a whole list of things to keep me busy from tonight!
Good night everyone! and thanks Liz and everyone for the advice!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Liz, guess that one needs rescuing too.
Suzie Cheel said
Stephen my linked in is
http://linkedin.com/in/suziecheel
Thnaks
ME Liz Strauss said
Good night, Trisha!
Thanks for coming!
Becky McCray said
Good night, Trish!
I feel like I ought to go back and compile a few of the things I put in here. Seems like some of it was worth while. Maybe fodder for Outstanding in My Field. I’m thinking of putting all my bloggy stuff there.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Have you noticed how when the conversation is really good, there are no Klondike bars?
Stephen said
The key to success at Linked In is using the Q&A. Look at questions and answer the ones you are qualified for.
Ditch FaceBook, it is only a time sink with no real value. Unless you are a college kid and just getting started in SM.
Suzie Cheel said
@ Glenda, that is great, I have been meaning to start- have an hour dedicated today- Caroline is a great person
Becky McCray said
Glenda, pass me a Klondike!!
ME Liz Strauss said
Klondikes for everyone!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
; ) Which flavour, Becky?
Becky McCray said
Something chocolatey! I need sustenance after thinking about all this networking stuff.
ME Liz Strauss said
Do the Heath flavor — They’re the best!
Becky McCray said
Liz, you haven’t talked about ezines and manifestos yet. Let’s hear your insight!
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Suzie, I’m impressed with her course, so far - may even sign up for her affiliate. Need to write my StumbleUpon post tonight.
Sheila Scarborough said
Glenda — Thanks for the link!
Stephen — Happy to connect, not sure why I didn’t before. Agree about the Q&A; I do that as well. My next LI enhancement step is to request recommendations for myself, and do more Q&A.
Becky — Sounds like good bloggy stuff to me!
ME Liz Strauss said
I think that ezines and manifestos offer opportunities to stretch out into places where nonblogging readers can be found.
Becky McCray said
One other great networking tip that improves readership is Google Reader Shared Items. I’ve been pretty impressed with seeing my articles passed around by other people!
Sheila Scarborough said
Liz, when you say turn old blog posts into zine articles, do you mean on places like Associated Content?
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
How does that work, Becky?
Becky McCray said
If you have a Gmail account, start a read account. Each story should have a Share icon at the end. Click the icon, and it is shared with all your other GReader friends in your Gmail address book.
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Thanks Becky. Perhaps is that part of the process after publishing a great post?
Stephen said
Re-comment for everyone: action plan for getting more subscribers:
1)Add “please subscribe” message to bottom of emails and end of posts.
2)Add page explaining RSS - see http://www.whatisrss.com/.
3) guest posting - all over the place, especially in areas at the edge of your experience
4) Add a landing page, and point to it - see http://hdbizblog.com/blog/2007/09/25/welcome-and-a-brief-introduction/
5) Add a do follow Plug-in - http://www.semiologic.com/software/wp-tweaks/dofollow/
6) What Would Seth Godin Do plugin - http://www.richardkmiller.com/blog/wordpress-plugin-what-would-seth-godin-do
7) TinyLink plugin - http://brajeshwar.com/2007/tiny-link-wordpress-plugin/
ME Liz Strauss said
Yeah, to submit to everything from Blog Critics to Find.com
ezinearticles.com/
http://www.articles3000.com
There’s also docstoc.com
Glenda Watson Hyatt said
Darrell is making supper, so I’d better go. Thanks Liz for the space to hang with friends.
G’night everyone.
Becky McCray said
Goodnight, Glenda!
ME Liz Strauss said
I have a question about LinkedIN groups. What’s the best way to use them on LinkedIn?
ME Liz Strauss said
Good night, Glenda!
Timothy Johnson said
Good question, Liz. I just created an alumni group and still trying to figure out how to make it show up.
Sheila Scarborough said
Liz,
Good question - I’ve joined a grunch of LI Groups because they seemed useful, but then haven’t done anything with the contacts within them.
I don’t have an LI Pro account, so should use a couple of my freebie Introductions within the Groups, I guess.
ME Liz Strauss said
Sheila,
That’s the only usefulness I’ve really seen.
Stephen said
LI Groups are good for intros, and for getting your Questions answered. I get some good post info from them, see - http://homeofficewarrior.com/2008/06/04/top-tips-for-working-at-home/
Timothy Johnson said
Sheila - what usefulness have you received from the Pro level?
Liz - I find the Question and Answer section to be the most useful tool within LinkedIn. I’ve made some awesome connections answering other people’s questions, and it helps drive traffic to my site.
Sheila Scarborough said
Gotta run; a quick post to write before bed.
Nice thread, Liz, and thanks as always for your encouragement.
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Tim!
I see the value of the Q&A, but I have trouble with the time it takes to invest in them.
lou suSi said
For those using LinkedIn, I find the LinkedIn Answers to be the most valuable way to start up a conversation. You can often feel out whether someone would be a good contact for you, get a sense of their personality from the way they respond. I’ve added many to my own network in this way.
Becky McCray said
I wrote up a few of my better contributions to this thread, and put it on my personal blog, Out Standing in My Field. http://bjmccray.blogspot.com/2008/07/creative-networking.html
And that’s some creative networking right there!
Mary-Lynn said
Hi! Better late than never, right? Time is my main problem. I have some great Facebook Groups that I’ve joined that I need to participate in. I never think of LinkedIn for group activity b/c it doesn’t seem set up for posting and getting a discussion going. They should take a page from Liz here!
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi Mary-Lynn,
Time has gotten away from us all again. I don’t play at Facebook and i don’t seem to have time for Linked In either.
Tonight, I think we’re about wound out now!
Suzie Cheel said
just off to have a late lunch, see you in 2 weeks, will be away next week
lou suSi said
I find both Facebook and LinkedIn equally engaging, slightly different energies of course.
The best way to get people to start answering on LinkedIn is to invite people that come to mind in your network to answer. As more and more people contribute, conversation tends to spark more and more aspects from both those invited and random folks out on the LI network.
Facebook, for me, is a bit more frivilous. Lately I feel more and more like a social media surrealist. My performance art side coming out I guess.
ME Liz Strauss said
Good night everyone!
Mary-Lynn said
I agree. Great info here to review! Catch you next time!
Scot Herrick said
What we need is an analysis of what social sites match up to our interests. Does MySpace relate to career management? Nope. What does? How do I get that focus for my niche out of social sites?
No one has answers yet, but we’re spinning a lot of time trying to figure it out.
(Thought I’d get the last comment in — this was a great topic…)
Enjoy life…Scot
Blog-to Show? Showcase Your Blog at Successful-Blog July 26-27 - Liz Strauss at Successful Blog - Thinking, writing, business ideas . . . You’re only a stranger once. said
[...] Open Comment Night last night, we talked about Creative Networking. Lots of great ideas were gathered, and that conversation got [...]
Patricia said
Liz
What an amazing amount of information in this discussion. I have a list of MORE things to do now. At least I did take the time tonight to sign up for FriendFeed, and added your name.
My thanks to you and everyone who participated!
ME Liz Strauss said
Hi to all of you!
Glad to see that you’re taking advantage of the great information everyone brought here.
Dont' Wait for the Search Enignes - 14 Ways to Get Traffic Now! said
For me the ebook works best and twitter is great if you have a blog and auto ping for post updates.
Pushing the Web and WordPress, What I Found, AND What’s Next! - Liz Strauss at Successful Blog - Thinking, writing, business ideas . . . You’re only a stranger once. said
[...] folks I met at that first Blog-to Show are folks I still see. When we’d been talking about Creative Networking, it seemed natural to brush off the old idea and try it [...]
Blog Widgets, Keyphrases And Other Great Stuff said
[...] great widget I found recently was WWSGD (What would Seth Godin Do?) I read about this on one of Liz Strauss’s Open Mic sessions. You can set it to encourage folk to subscribe to your RSS feed and after their first few [...]