Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

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

May 5, 2009

The Mic Is On: We’re Talking about Generating Content Ideas!!

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 6:58 pm

It’s Like Open Mic Only Different

The Mic Is On

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.

Need Some Ideas?

Content defines who we are. What we write about is our expertise and our relevance. We become our words and our statements online. And as online presence becomes a stronger part of business, business becomes more about publishing ideas.


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.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
image: sxc.hu
Related article
What is Tuesday Open Comment Night?





Filed under Successful Blog |




C'mon. Let's talk!

140 Comments to “The Mic Is On: We’re Talking about Generating Content Ideas!!”

  1. May 5th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Hey Liz, fantastic SOBCon! Hats off to you and Terry et al!

  2. May 5th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    Hey Liz,
    Me first for the first time in a long time! :-)

  3. May 5th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    Awww Ms Glenda, you beat me to it.

  4. May 5th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Hey Joe, great to see you!

  5. May 5th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    Liz, I have 3 posts brewing right now, all from real life.
    2 from working with a client from a couple of years ago yesterday
    2 from the upcoming tele-seminar I’ll be a part of in July.

  6. May 5th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hey Glenda!
    You were something else there! No more hiding for you! heh heh

  7. May 5th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Joe, you’re on a roll.
    Sounds like you’ve got the old enthusiasm back!

  8. May 5th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    Glenda, sorry I missed you (and everyone else) at SOBCon.
    I tried to keep up with all the Tweets & posts, but it’s not the same. ;-)

  9. May 5th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    ;)Yea Liz, wheeled totally out of my comfort zone!

  10. May 5th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Glenda, sure seems like it worked well for you. :)

  11. May 5th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Joe, missed you at SOBCon. It was a great event.

  12. May 5th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    It definitely did, Liz. Having previous relationships with many of peeps and then presenting Friday changed the dynamics that I typically experience at conferences.

  13. May 5th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Yeah, Joe, you were missed.
    Definitely not forgotten. :)

  14. May 5th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    What was the biggest idea you found at SOBCon, Glenda?

  15. May 5th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
    Marie said

    It’s good to be home and be here tonight. I look forward to learning from you guys!

  16. May 5th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Marie!
    How are your ideas flowing?

  17. May 5th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
    Andi said

    First time attendee to Open Mic night, (and first SOBCon) - my content comes from all over I think because I am interested in so many things. My problem is I feel like writing more for my personal blog than my biz blog and that is a problem! Also, some topics are appropriate for either and I sometimes don’t know where to “put” them. I think it is because I am more comfortable with my “voice” on my personal blog - which is probably chalked up to consultant’s guilt (I think that was the term mentioned at SOBCon) that and my biz website is only a temp site and won’t be fully launched for another month, I keep telling myself it is because to that, and I hope that is the case. Anyone out there blog personally and professionally and run into the same situation? Sorry for the long comment!

  18. May 5th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    Liz, it’s nice to be remembered, hope it was the good stuff, none of that awkward (?) stuff. ;-)

  19. May 5th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    Andi, YES.

  20. May 5th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Andi!
    I’ve moved much of what I used to write on my personal blog here. But I don’t think that would work for most folks.

    That happened when I was where you are — wondering which place to put things and deciding that one place for all was better than schizophrenia. :)

  21. May 5th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
    Andi said

    Joe, how did you overcome? Or have you?

  22. May 5th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
    Marie said

    A little slow at times. I think I’m trying to learn so much so quickly that I forget the main thing is to write good quality articles.

    I’m too focused on getting it done properly = I just need to get it done

  23. May 5th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    Short and to the point, huh.
    Write where you are comfortable. If it is you personal blog for now, keep writing.
    The more comfortable you get with your voice there, the easier it will be to transfer “you” to the business blog.
    You can be you on both, just let it flow.

  24. May 5th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
    Andi said

    There seems to be a couple schools of thought when it comes to frequency. Some people say you should write every day and your content will get better and better. Others say write only as often as you have good quality content.

    Anyone have an opinion?

  25. May 5th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Marie,
    Capture your ideas first. Capture a whole bunch of them. Then write a few at a time. You might try writing at night and then polishing right before you publish one.

  26. May 5th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Andi,
    What’s more important than frequency is consistency. Ideally you would write every day, but not all of us can. That being said writing on a consistent schedule serves both readers and search engine spiders — both of whom get used to the pattern of when you write.

  27. May 5th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
    Marie said

    That’s true. I do not have many ideas even drafted. I’ll see something and think I should blog that and then never do.

  28. May 5th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Liz, I’m still processing everything in my mind, but I’m definitely interested in exploring membership sites as income generator. I need to email Brian Clark to see if he’d mind me picking his brain. My goal is to have a membership site live by next SOBCon. Just wondering if I should launch a smaller product [ebook or ecourse] first.

  29. May 5th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    Andi, I used to write every day on both blogs, then things got to the point of being redundant.
    I haven’t written anything on the business blog for a little while, nothing really to write about that I can think of, so I don’t write anything.
    On the personal blog, I try to write interesting things but even then, you can run out of ideas.
    That is one of the biggest reasons I regret not getting to Sobcon, it is ALWAYS inspiring.

  30. May 5th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
    jon said

    so, Marie, write the ideas even if you don’t think you’ll post. eventually, you will.

  31. May 5th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
    Marie said

    I’ve thought about looking back at my favorite quotes and looking up writing prompts to get ideas.

  32. May 5th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
    Andi said

    Does anyone use mind maps for content ideas? I have found that to be a good content generator.

  33. May 5th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Glenda,
    I think an informational ebook explaining what you explained at SOBCon would be hugely beneficial.

  34. May 5th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
    Rick Wolff said

    Greetings, folks! Remember me?

  35. May 5th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
    jon said

    Glenda did an ebook of her presentation which is great.

  36. May 5th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hey Jon,
    Loved your social media post about the 8 things we can learn from church, especially the points about nonbelievers and hypocrisy.

  37. May 5th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
    Marie said

    I think any ebook about the SOBCon would be beneficial….LOL, I’m hoping to be there next year. But plan on being here every time I can.

  38. May 5th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Marie,
    I think quotes are great for inspiration. Photos work for me too. :)

  39. May 5th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
    Mary-Lynn said

    Hi everyone! Just wanted to share about content since we write a daily post / show. We get it from all over…news sources, blogs (we spun off an idea that Liz gave us on our post today), conversations, and events like SOBCon. The world is our content creator :)

  40. May 5th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    Something I try to do is when I come up with an idea for a post, write it down.
    Seems that usually when the idea occurs, I don’t have anything to write with (in the shower eg) and I still forget. ;-)
    Maybe I should practice what I preach and get a recorder but then again I’d forget to take it in the bathroom!

  41. May 5th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    #34 Um, That goes to show you what I know. :)

  42. May 5th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
    jon said

    andi, and all, darren rouse at problogger.net has beendoing a great 31 days series on building a better blog. he talks mindmaps and other great content generating stuff.

  43. May 5th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
    Andi said

    Glenda, I saw your e-book, I think that is an exceptional idea that can benefit a lot of people.

  44. May 5th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hey Mary-Lynn,
    Once you get the knack of spinning a thought, ideas seem to be everywhere!!

  45. May 5th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
    Brad Shorr said

    Hi Liz, Thanks for all your efforts bringing SOBCon together. I second your idea about consistency being more important than frequency for blog posting. It’s pretty hard for people to keep up with 5 posts a week if they’re following multiple blogs, so in a way you’re doing some readers a favor by posting less often.

  46. May 5th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
    jon said

    um, Liz. you know a lot. Just not everythig that was published during SOBcon. you were busy.

  47. May 5th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
    Andi said

    Hi Jon, I have been doing that project, it has been pretty good. A kind of house-keeping that should be done at least twice a year.

  48. May 5th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    Oooppss, almost forgot.
    KLONDIKES FOR EVERYONE!
    CATCH!

  49. May 5th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Brad!
    Good point! The only blog I know that folks read without missing every day is Jon’s .

  50. May 5th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
    jon said

    i agree, andi. of course, it will take me 6 months to do everything he built into one month.

  51. May 5th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
    Marie said

    Jon - so have I. I haven’t seen the growth that some expressed-like 3,000 views daily but it has helped.

  52. May 5th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Liz and Jon, I have another ebook on web accessibility for bloggers in the works - more details than the free ebook. I’m thinking finishing that and using it to further test the market for a membership site.

  53. May 5th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
    Rick Wolff said

    I’ve not been keeping up with my blog, because I’m trying to keep upbeat in it, or at least avoid whining, but my life has been serving up a lot to whine about. Nothing tragic, just difficult. I’d hate to write about it, and you’d hate to read it. When will things turn around? Hard to say.

  54. May 5th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
    Andi said

    Marie, me either, but I keep the faith, it is a slow and steady journey, so I prefer to build traffic that way than to get 3,000 one week that abandon the next. At least that is what I tell myself ;-)

  55. May 5th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Jon, thanks for the Klondike. Had my first one at SOBCon - thanks to Cheryl. Yummy.

  56. May 5th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Jon and Andi,
    I think that series started a few years ago. And Darren’s been writing that content for a long while too. So maybe you could say that he did it a bit faster than we folks who are starting from scratch. heh heh

  57. May 5th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
    Mary-Lynn said

    Another great way to find content is to spin words…like Glenda did with her most recent blog post “How Pour is Your Blog.” I love that!

  58. May 5th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Glenda,
    Good idea on getting more content out there. How does the second book differ from the first? Same exact customer base, just more detail?

  59. May 5th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Hi Mary-Lynn!

  60. May 5th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
    jon said

    Glenda - the expanded one sounds great. That seems to be a good approach: free and then expanded.

  61. May 5th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
    Mary-Lynn said

    Hey Glenda! I so enjoyed our lunch together at SOBCon!

  62. May 5th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
    Marie said

    I’m going to really focus on doing 2 to 3 articles a week.

    These ideas are helping. I like the spin on words too. Good titles help to draw readers.

  63. May 5th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
    jon said

    Liz - yes. he revised it this time around, but the ability to use and then reuse is great. I’ve done it some with posts to ebooks, but haven’t done the revising that could be helpful.

  64. May 5th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
    Mary-Lynn said

    Jon, it was nice to meet you too!

  65. May 5th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    #56 Yes Liz, way more information. My ppt and companion ebook was the tip of the iceberg.

  66. May 5th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
    jon said

    likewise, mary-lynn. and I did listen to the show while I was there. Good work.

  67. May 5th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    #53 Hey Rick,
    I find that when I’m whining the best thing to do is go help someone out. That changes my perspective and renews my energy. :)

  68. May 5th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
    jon said

    #49 thank you liz. calling it 300 words a day sure sets the challenge, tho.

  69. May 5th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
    Sheila Scarborough said

    Hi everyone! Hi Liz!

    I’m all about content, but I tell people I never have “writer’s block.”

    I have “writer’s-no-freakin’-time-to-write-it-all.”

    :)

  70. May 5th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
    Sheila Scarborough said

    I did speak on writing (in general) to Refresh Austin’s monthly meeting last August.

    Here are a couple of writing-related links that I recommended to the audience: http://www.refreshaustin.org/2008/august-meeting-writing-for-the-web-and-introduction-to-django

    Thanks for the chance to share.

  71. May 5th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    #63 Jon,
    Repurposing content is a service. The generational aspect of the audience of blogs means that we’re getting new readers at a pace that is astounding. Even if you have 100 readers / day for three years. It’s so unlikely they’re the same 100 readers.

    So the new ones every few months don’t know what we said a year ago. I find that mining our archives is a great way to bring forward new ideas. We also get to see how much we’ve grown as we realize how much we want to polish (not just update) what we thought was finished before.

  72. May 5th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
    Marie said

    #67 - That is funny - I do the same thing. I even have a sign above my desk that says thank you for not whining…and it is to remind myself to stop…although everyone else thinks it is aimed at them.

  73. May 5th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
    jon said

    hey sheila! sorry to take off before talking about imposters the other day.

  74. May 5th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Hey Sheila! Any luck with finding the apples yet? :)

    I hear ya on not enough time to write. I probably blog a third to a half of my ideas.

  75. May 5th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
    Andi said

    Sheila - you nailed it!

  76. May 5th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
    jon said

    #71. that’s a great thought. In a post going up in an hour, I even reference a post of your from 2 years ago. :)

  77. May 5th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
    Mary-Lynn said

    Jon, what a great picture Becky took of you and Liz. Makes for a nice addition to you wonderful post about what social media can learn from church. That makes me think of another great place to find content, in blog posts that make you think. The remarks you have to a post can be your next blog post.

  78. May 5th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
    jon said

    Mary-lynn - that’s a great thought. in the comments to that post, for example, are several posts for me and others. And, the post itself can be expanded to at least 8 posts later on. or into a newsletter. or…

  79. May 5th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
    jon said

    okay. speaking of content, i have a post to write (and 2 mother’s day cards, and a video script, and…) nice to see you all again so soon after Chicago.

  80. May 5th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    That’s true Mary-Lynn and Jon,
    People are always leaving great ideas in the comments of blogs. It’s one of the best reasons to read comments.

  81. May 5th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    I just wish I had Sheila & Glenda’s problem of too many ideas & too little time to write.

  82. May 5th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    You know, Joe,
    It’s not that you don’t have ideas. It’s that you stop them. We all have a valve at the base of our brains that filters out stimulation so that we don’t go nuts. It opens when we’re not overly distracted and more likely to be in touch with our subconscious … that’s why we get ideas when we’re walking or talking a shower.

  83. May 5th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
    Mary-Lynn said

    We get ideas from TV shows too….often reruns of Cosby have great messages that spark ideas. We did a post not too long ago from a great message on “How I Met Your Mother”. We’ve turned our TV posts into a regular bit called “Tutors on TV”

  84. May 5th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
    Marie said

    Me too Joe, Me too.

    BUT it is encouraging to see “seasoned bloggers” struggling with the same thing like I do. So Thank you.

  85. May 5th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
    Marie said

    Liz,
    I’m going to be digging into your website this weekend - while I enjoy my morning coffee. Any suggestions on where to start? You have so many great articles.

  86. May 5th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Joe,
    Pick a character from StarTrek, i.e. StarTrek New Gen. and do the “Janeway School of Management.”

  87. May 5th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    Ya know, Marie, Liz is right about that valve at the base of the brain.
    Maybe we just have to control the output better in a let it flow when it’s open fashion. ;-)
    We are in the right place to find some inspiration though. Thank goodness for friends. :-)

  88. May 5th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Every character we’ve come to know well in literature and on TV has a point of view that we can look to apply in our own arena. Take the ones you know well and see how they’d do in your field.

    Harry Potter School of Social Media
    Bugs Bunny Classes on Twitter
    Al Capone on Facebook
    Miss Piggy on LinkedIn

  89. May 5th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    I would Liz, but Janeway was the Captain of Voyager.
    Maybe I could use Jean-Luc Picard though. ;-)

  90. May 5th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Joe, take more showers! That’s when many ideas hit.

  91. May 5th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
    Kevin Ferrasci O'Malley said

    I always carry in my pocket a pen
    and either my trusty “spiral pocket notebook” brain or blank index cards.
    I get an idea and I write it down.
    I am a firm believer in the old Chinese
    saying, “there is no memory longer than ink”

  92. May 5th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
    Mary-Lynn said

    LOL, Glenda!

  93. May 5th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    Glenda, do you mean you can smell me through your computer? :-(

  94. May 5th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
    Mary-Lynn said

    Good point, Kevin. It’s so hard to remember all those little ideas we come across throughout the day. Another great tool to use is the voice recorder on your cell phone, since it is always with you!

  95. May 5th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    #89
    Sorry. Never could keep the titles straight.

    Even better compare their management styles. heh heh

  96. May 5th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    ;) Joe!

  97. May 5th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Great point, Kevin!
    And you’re good in another way. You act on the ideas you have. :)

  98. May 5th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
    Andi said

    Seriously, as I age, if I don’t write it down within 5 minutes of thinking about it, it disappears from my brain!

  99. May 5th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Andi,
    You think YOU have a problem … I lose them while I’m still having them. heh heh :)

  100. May 5th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
    Kevin Ferrasci O'Malley said

    Liz great point about not being distracted usually equals best inspiration. When we think about it I think we all kind of find that rings so true. So then why do you think it is that we don’t seek out more quiet time so we can think ?

  101. May 5th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    Maybe a list comparison
    Jonathan Archer
    James Tiberius Kirk
    Jean-Luc Picard
    Katherine Janeway
    and Commander Cisco (I forget his first name) from Deep Space 9

  102. May 5th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
    Marie said

    Andi, I’m not sure how old you are, but I do that as well….try to keep things written down all the time.

  103. May 5th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    Sometimes I get an idea that I should write down and then start wandering around that idea and how it plays out and different variations and directions the post could go and then what those posts might turn into and forget the original idea so none of the rest made any sense. :-0

  104. May 5th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
    Andi said

    39.5 and the mind is slipping fast ;-)

    like right now when I should have been heating up dinner but got caught up in Open Mic night!

    My first one - it was fun. Good night!

  105. May 5th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
    Marie said

    I know - but maybe later, when you look at it -not only will it make sense, but you could end up with a few articles out of it.

  106. May 5th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Many times I start writing a blog post and realize that the first section is a single idea that can stand on its own. I take the rest for the next day. Then the same thing happens again. I’ve had one post multiply into a whole week that way. :)

  107. May 5th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
    Mary-Lynn said

    Great conversation this evening! Gotta run. Look forward to your next Open Mic, Liz.

  108. May 5th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    #103 Joe, perhaps write the original idea, then start poking at it?

  109. May 5th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    But Glenda, these are the type of things that come to me in the SHOWER. ;-)

  110. May 5th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Most thing people talk about get interesting if you change one basic assumption of the original premise.

    What if they let kids under 10 add features to the next iPhone?

    What if the next school curriculum had to include classes by people over 80?

  111. May 5th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
    Kevin Ferrasci O'Malley said

    Our four legged furry baby is insisting its time to go for “walkies” and at 139lbs I have a hard time saying no. Peace to all and night night

  112. May 5th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Good night, Mary-Lynn!
    Good night, Kevin!
    Thanks for coming!

  113. May 5th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
    Marie said

    Liz you have so many great articles…do you struggle with ideas? You seem to naturally have so much to write about.

  114. May 5th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
    Beth said

    Hello all just wanted to drop in and say thanks to Liz and all the wonderful people who made Sobcon so great…Talk about ideas Sobcon was inspiring, enriching, educating, and invigorating.I have too many ideas and such trouble with the process of writing them. Been working on the same post since Saturday..UGH

  115. May 5th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Joe, need some waterproof paper? ;)

  116. May 5th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Hi Beth! Just wondering — have you tried Dragon Naturally Speaking to capture your posts - to get around the writing process?

  117. May 5th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Marie,
    The less I worry about having ideas the more they come. I let the world bring them to me. Then I work like hell to turn them into something other people can see. :)

  118. May 5th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
    Beth said

    Glenda I saw your comment at the top and I see so many possibilities for you, a membership site, and a living-learning site for children & teens you can be a mentor and teacher, and start connecting them with opportunities that would have never existed even a few years ago. Social media opens doors as two-way conversation; you can empower a whole new community who are ready to get their voices heard. This is such an exciting time for you, a time when you can contact the big brands and let them know how they can better their businesses and such…

  119. May 5th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
    Marie said

    Thanks guys for a great Open Mic Night! You have been most helpful. Heading off for the evening.

  120. May 5th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
    Beth said

    Glenda I have it. And I do use it at times but it’s hard to get use to. Even as I type this now. it takes me a while..but the crazy thing is I love to write…I need someone to edit..I carry a book and write down ideas all day…even in the shower..not kidding..

  121. May 5th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    This is an example of a photo that could give me ideas …

    baby feet

  122. May 5th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Thanks Beth. Yes, it is a very exciting time for me - technology is finally beginning to catch up to me. I’m now envisioning a cogolmeration [how ever its spelled!] of membership sites, beginning with web accessibility for bloggers. Then perhaps using social media to reach the disabled market, etc. I see myself building a media empire, like Ms O, but in my own way.

  123. May 5th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
    Beth said

    See I went and clicked on that photo of baby feet, and now I have even more ideas…it is a great way to start..

  124. May 5th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Hmm Beth, perhaps there are other tools that would make writing less painful for you. Let’s talk via email.

  125. May 5th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Beth,
    I so love how real you. Not kidding. You bring so much to everything just by being you.

  126. May 5th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Glenda,
    It’s so great to hear you having BIG ideas. Darn time too!!

  127. May 5th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
    Sheila Scarborough said

    Sorry, I wandered off….how very Open Mic of me!

    Wanted to say that an Editorial Calendar is so helpful for blogging. Figure out different sorts of posts you like to do (for example, linkposts, video, photos, guest posts, original content, etc.) and what day of the week to do them.

    I like a Photo of the Week (with just a few lines of text) on my family travel blog, so I try to have a photo post on Wednesdays. I often fail miserably in calendar execution, but at least I have a PLAN.

    Seasonal stuff happen the same time every year - Xmas, SOBCon, summer vacation, SXSWi - so build posts around that.

    Magazines in particular have used editorial calendars for years; no reason bloggers can’t as well. Why do you think we see “Get In Shape For Summer” articles every single May?!

  128. May 5th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Ah Sheila!
    Sorry, I wandered off….how very Open Mic of me! Not nearly so long as when you drove from Florida to Texas.

    I have an editorial structure to what goes on here. I think it makes the blog feel familiar to folks when they come to read.

  129. May 5th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    I have 4 days a week that are always the same type of posts on certain days, the other 3 are for REAL writing.
    Is that an editorial calendar?

  130. May 5th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
    Marie said

    I was closing out and decided to refresh the screen - and luckily I did.
    I see what you mean by the inspiration from photo.

    thanks - again!

  131. May 5th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Liz, next step is to pull all the bits together to make it happen. That’s one thing I really admire about Ms O - how she has built an empire and uses cross-media promotion to integrate it all. I’d love to hear more about the business side of her.

  132. May 5th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
    Sheila Scarborough said

    Sure, Joe, it’s just a schedule. I’m doing a 50 States Series on my family travel blog right now, and I joke that it’s mostly so I’ll know what the BLEEP to write about on Tuesdays.

    Oops, gotta run, apparently some family members think I should assume Mom duties right about now.

    ‘Night, all!

  133. May 5th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    You’ll do fine, Glrnda Just one little act every day.

  134. May 5th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hey Marie,
    Glad you got to see that pix!

  135. May 5th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Sheila,
    Just be glad we don’t have a 100 states because you’ll be deadly bored with the whole thing by state 33.

  136. May 5th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
    Joe Hauckes said

    Well it looks like it’s shutting down
    Another night of information did abound

    When there is nothing to write about or post
    Don’t look in the mirror and see a ghost

    Rather look to real life and things you see
    Then your visitors will read with glee

    All the things that are true to life
    May just help a little with all their strief

    That’s why we’re here and the readers come
    Is for helpful tips, information and maybe fun

    So adieu to you all my good friends
    Until next week when we will gather again.

    Burma Shave

    Nite Liz
    Nite All

  137. May 5th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Good night, Joe
    Sleepy swell!

  138. May 5th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
    Glenda Watson Hyatt said

    Thanks Liz.

  139. May 6th, 2009 at 11:04 am
    John Schuster said

    I love to scan my server logs for keyword queries that have brought someone to my sites, but may not be fully addressed in the sites content as specifically as some one searching for that information may be expecting.

  140. May 6th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
    Kelly, Write Sticky said

    A favorite writing mentor of mine is fond of saying “Plumber’s don’t get plumber’s block.” That said, I always find that if I’m stuck I either picture my ideal audience member or pretend I’m writing a letter/email to my best friend. Things just seem to flow better that way.

Name (required)

Email (required)

Website

C'mon Let's Talk!